Bee Farming in Africa: A Beginner’s Guide to Beekeeping

Beekeeping (apiculture) is primarily practiced for the production of honey, wax and propolis. In several African communities, bees are also kept to provide natural security for homesteads and farms. This guide covers the key factors to consider before starting a bee farming enterprise.

From wild harvesting to modern beekeeping

Beekeeping was initially perceived as a traditional enterprise, most common among hunters. Bees were considered wild animals that scavenged for their own feed away from human shelter — on tree branches, in underground holes or caves.

With current innovations in the agricultural sector, beekeeping is becoming a large-scale venture with a significant role in food security and income sustainability. Research has shown that bees play a crucial role in crop pollination, directly impacting agricultural yields.

Starting a bee farming enterprise

As with any enterprise, it is important to assess the suitability and viability of bee farming before investing cash, time and effort. Key factors to consider include:

Bee availability

This depends on the ecological conditions of the location. Bees prefer certain places over others — for instance, the Adamawa region and Oku locality in North West Cameroon have proven very favorable. Temperature, humidity and rainfall determine the availability of water and feed resources. The simplest way to populate hives is by using catcher boxes placed along the path of swarming bees, sometimes baited with honeycomb.

Capital requirements

You need to determine whether you have the required capital to start: hives, catcher boxes, artificial feeds, labour, honey comb spinners, smokers and related costs. We recommend starting small and using locally available materials to minimize costs while ensuring good returns as the farm grows.

Site selection

Siting the apiary correctly minimizes conflict between bees and farmers, the public, or other animals:

• Keep the apiary away from noisy places — noise excites bees and increases the likelihood of stinging.
• Site it far from homesteads and animal grazing areas, but close to watering and foraging points to minimize travel distance for the bees.
• Avoid busy roads and paths, and avoid facing the hives directly into the wind.
• Choose a point that makes supervision easy for the farmer or manager.
• Use wire mesh enclosures or scarecrows to reduce predation by birds and other animals.

Market for the final products

Profitability depends on a well-organized and known market for honey, wax and propolis. Consider transport logistics for inputs and finished products, as well as the legal policies and supply-demand dynamics affecting your market.

Social and cultural considerations

Understanding the cultural beliefs of your target market matters. For instance, honey is cited in the Sunnah as a powerful remedy, which can make it easier to market in Muslim communities, while other communities may be less receptive to insect-derived products.

Bees are social insects living in colony structures of 3,000 to 9,000 individuals or more, depending on water and feed availability. Worker bees make up about 90% of the colony.

Conclusion

Bee farming is a viable enterprise in Africa when the site, capital and market are properly assessed beforehand. We are a group of agro-food processing engineers based in Bekoko, Douala, Cameroon.

Contact us for advice: +237 678 135 708 / 655 645 780. Learn more about beekeeping from the USDA beekeeping resource.