The Farm Africa project – the Big Beehive Build – involves the business leaders constructing beehives in the Nou Forest area of the country. The target is to construct 100 beehives in just 72 hours.
Hendle, who is William Reed’s md – Retail & Manufacturing said: “It’s been two years since I joined a feisty group of women from the food industry and ventured to Tanzania to build beehives. I’ll be back in the next week with Farm Africa working alongside women beekeepers putting my construction skills and no doubt our production line to the test.”
Generate new income
The beehive-building mission is a bid to generate new income and combat the effects of deforestation in the Nou Forrest, as trees are felled to sell as firewood, and to clear grazing land for stock.
“Poverty is the main driver of deforestation so Farm Africa works with the communities teaching them how to make money through forest-friendly businesses,” said Hendle.
The business leaders want to leave behind the legacy of sustainable beekeeping businesses, so that individual farmers can provide for their families.
Beekeeping is a traditional activity in the area and introducing modern hives can double production in just one year. That will allow farmers to maximise their income and empower women to start honey businesses.
Raise £80,000
The team is aiming to raise £80,000 , which will make a big difference to Farm Africa’s ability to reach more farmers across eastern Africa to unleash their potential, said the organisation. Read how you can support the mission in the box below.
Greencore said the mission will build hives specially designed for women to manage.
“This challenge will kick-start new honey businesses for women in the Bermi community,” said the manufacturer in a statement on its website.
“The beehives are specifically designed with women in mind – unlike the traditional tree-top beehives that are considered socially unacceptable for women to use, these hives sit on the ground and give women the opportunity to grow their own businesses and sustain their own livelihoods.”
How to back the beehive-building mission
Find out how you can support the women business leaders beehive building mission by visiting the team’s fundraising page. Meanwhile, watch out for more reports on the Big Beehive Build on FoodManufacture.co.uk next week.