Money from honey
Beekeeping can help alleviate poverty, protect biodiversity and support food security, thus helping to achieve #ZeroHunger.
Through trainings for farmers and young people, Hassan demonstrates that beekeeping can be profitable and provide a sustainable livelihood. ©FAO/Erastus Mbugua.
Hassan Muhumed Abdilaahi waves from the small green tuk-tuk that has brought him from home to his beloved and ever-growing apiary. Having expanded his business from two hives in 2013 to 150 today, the beekeeper has good reason to smile. His friends describe him as “born with a bee” — a local saying for someone who is very knowledgeable and passionate about something.
Originally from the Gebiley district in Somaliland, Hassan started his journey into beekeeping at the age of 24. His breakthrough came in 2014 when he attended a beekeeping training conducted by FAO under a project funded by the United Kingdom through the Sustainable Employment and Economic Development (SEED) Programme. “That changed my life,” said Hassan. “After the training, they provided us with two modern hives and a complete beekeeping start-up kit, with a beekeeping suit, smokers, knives and brushes.”
The results have been dramatic. He now produces over 2 000 kilograms of honey each year, up from the 30 kilograms he produced in 2013. Importantly, although recurrent droughts in the area can disrupt his activities, Hassan can also sufficiently maintain his bees’ production.