KENYA INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

Dr. Peter N. Khakina

Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)

P.O. BOX 30650 00100 NAIROBI

MODERN BEEKEEPING: A CASE

STUDY OF WEST POKOT HONEY

PROCESSING PILOT PLANT

Background information

The study and keeping of bees is called Apiculture.

Some reasons for bee keeping Beekeeping products

Fun and hobby

Pollination

PRODUCTS FROM BEEKEEPING

Comb honey: Chunks of honey-filled combs taken directly from the hive

Extracted honey: It is the extracted liquid portion Chunk honey: It is a combination of comb honey and

extracted honey bottled together.

Beeswax is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, candles, foundation sheets (for hives), medicines, polishes, etc.

Royal jelly: It is a substance secreted by worker bees to feed the queen.

Bee pollen: Pollen contains up to 35% protein. It can be eaten dry or added to other foods. Pollen is sold to the perfume industry.

Propolis: It is a resin that bees collect from plants and they use it to cover the inside of the hive. It has some therapeutic and antibiotic characteristics.

BEEKEEPING PRODUCTS

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR

BEEKEEPING

Mesh helmet Folding veil Smoker Electric uncapping knife Hive tool Bee brush Sting resistant gloves

Honey harvesting equipment

Processor Smokers

Bee hives

Top Bar Hive Double bar hive

West Pokot honey processing plant

The West Pokot pilot plant is run by Asali Kitelakapel Self Help Group.

KIRDI in Collaboration with DANIDA supported the Self group to start the bee keeping.

The self help group mainly process honey

Asali Kitelakapel self help group

Membership of 200 within 8 sub groups

Hive population of 200 Langstloth and 1000 Traditional hives

KIRDI has trained several farmers on modern beekeeping and supports them in processing,

branding, packaging and creating market of their

honey

Pure honey from West Pokot

Products produced by KIRDI from

West Pokot honey

Honey based spirits Beeswax

KIRDIS support to SMEs

Honey samples from SMEs Another pilot plant supported by KIRDI

Rachemo beekeepers honey pilot plant in Marigat, Eldama Ravine

Impact of modern beekeeping

1. Improved agricultural production through bee pollination

2. Preservation of bee colonies

3. Production of other beekeeping products apart from honey

4. Meeting of the job market demands

5. Job creation

6. Wealth creation

Potential for modern beekeeping

International market for honey is expected to reach 1.9 million tons by 2015

High international demand for crops grown by bee pollination

Demand for other products apart from honey

Approximately 80% of Kenyan land is suitable for beekeeping

KENYA INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

Thank you