Rwanda's annual honey production reached 7,000 tonnes as of August 2024, indicating progress but still fell short of the 8,611 tonnes target earlier set under the fourth Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA4).

The data from the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Board (RAB) implies that honey production target was achieved at more than 80 per cent. Under PSTA4, the country targeted to increase honey production from 5,535 tonnes in 2017 to 8,611 tonnes by June 30, 2024.

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Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director-General in charge of animal resources research and technology transfer at Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), told The New Times that achieving the target was challenging due to issues such as habitat loss caused by urbanization and monoculture, which limit diverse foraging areas for bees. Monoculture is the cultivation of a single crop in a given area.

"The sector also suffers from pests and diseases like wax moth and nosema, pesticide exposure, lack of training for beekeepers, deforestation, and the use of pine wood in hive-making, which affects bee colonization,” she said.

To address challenges, she indicated, RAB and its partners implemented several strategies.

"We are working with the honey cluster and stakeholders to strengthen the capacity of beekeepers in hive management and disease control," Uwituze said, adding that they use integrated pest management, combining biological, mechanical, and chemical approaches.

Efforts to restore bee habitats are also underway, with collaboration from projects like the International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (ICRAF) and community-based biodiversity conservation project (COMBIO) to create pollinator-friendly environments.

"We have reviewed and updated the beekeeping policy to promote sustainable practices and protect pollinator habitats," Uwituze added.

Other efforts, she pointed out, include promoting organic and sustainable bee farming to reduce pesticide exposure and protect ecosystems. Awareness campaigns on honey production systems and proper hive-making materials will be launched next month.

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Through collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, carpenters have recently begun receiving training in hive-making techniques, she indicated.

Looking ahead, under PSTA5, Uwituze said, the goal is to increase honey production to 10,000 tonnes by addressing the challenges that have hindered progress, with ongoing efforts in partnership with Rwanda Standards Board (RSB) and Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA).

Jean Damascene Ntaganda, the President of the Federation of Beekeepers&039; Cooperatives in Rwanda (FERWACAPI), said that one of the main obstacles is the limited budget available to support the industry.

"While we receive assistance from RAB and other partners, the funding remains insufficient. We’ve learned to rely on our own efforts as well," he noted.

Another significant issue is the use of pesticides, which not only harm bees but also threaten the sustainability of beekeeping.

"Farmers, understandably, use pesticides to protect their crops, as they have made significant investments in fertilizers and other resources. Unfortunately, these chemicals also kill bees. So, we are actively engaging in discussions to find long-term solutions."

"We encourage women and young people to get involved in this profession," he added.

While beekeepers faced issues where unsafe honey harvesting led to forest fires, Ntaganda said the problem was successfully resolved.