“I was motivated to start with beekeeping by my father who used to have 45 beehives for rearing bees.”
The Life as Beekeeper
Who belongs to your family / who is living with you?
My wife and I have 5 young children.
How has beekeeping changed your life?
I have about 200 traditional beehives and can harvest about 900kg. I produce my beehives myself. Sometimes, I sell some beehives to other beekeepers.
Through beekeeping I have been able to take my children to school and get them basic requirements at home. Also, I have been able to buy more land to expand the beekeeping.
How do you provide a good environment for your bees?
I have planted trees as shade for the bees.
I slash the apiary and provide water for the bees. Sometimes I put cassava flour for the bees. My beehives are on stands and in one place.
What do trees mean to you and how can they be protected?
Trees provide shade for the bees, medicine for the communities around. They influence the rain patterns. They can be protected by restricting the cutting and conserving them by sensitizing the communities around.
What is the most important thing in your life?
My own car is what I enjoy most.
What are your biggest challenges and how do you plan to overcome them?
I have no protective gear for harvesting and hive inspection. I plan to get one. Pests are a challenge as well. I control them by cleaning the hives and the apiary. I am lacking professional training for beekeeping. I need training modern beekeeping methods.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I like watching football in my free time.
Which place would you like to see once?
If I get the chance, I would like to travel to England.