By Sarah Nabakooza
Buzzing with opportunity and thriving in productivity, beekeeping is transforming into a lucrative enterprise.
With meticulous management, strategic hive placement, and attention to quality, this sweet business is proving to be a rewarding and profitable venture.
While in Bwamulamila village, Kayunga district, Peace Kayesu, a director at Kaynela Farms, along with her husband Faizo Sserunjogi, are pioneering beekeeping as a lucrative business.
The family-owned farm, renowned for its diverse agricultural activities, has embraced beekeeping not only for its economic potential but also for the benefits it brings to its entire operation.
“Bees require a carefully managed environment,” Kayesu explains.
“They thrive in secluded, quiet areas where they are shielded from disturbances like noise or smoke. The apiary should be enclosed to protect the bees from potential dangers such as fire, which can cause them to become aggressive and dangerous to animals and people in their attempt to escape.”
The location of the beehives is crucial. Bees need access to nearby water to avoid long flights in search of it.
“Comfort and safety are paramount,” Kayesu adds.
“The area must be secure and not accessible to everyone. Bees prefer dark, shaded places, so providing adequate shade is essential.”
Kaynela Farms enhances the quality of its honey with a variety of flowering plants and a thriving coffee plantation.
“Our flower gardens and coffee fields are vital,” Kayesu notes.
“Bees frequently visit these blooms, which contributes to the unique scent and superior quality of our honey.”
The farm currently operates 15 beehives, harvesting honey every three months.
“We collect honey from three hives at a time, yielding two jerry cans per harvest,” Kayesu shares.
This steady production cycle allows the farm to manage its resources effectively while providing a high-quality product.
LEAD PHOTO CAPTION: Kaynela Farms currently operates 15 beehives. Photo by Mary Kansiime
