By Peter Abaanabasazi
Farmers in Kikuube, especially in the beekeeping business, have decried the dwindling population of key crop pollinators: The bees.
The farmers claim that herbicides are responsible for the development and are, therefore, calling for the regulation of herbicide use in the district. Instead, they have asked the district leaders to promote organic manure use.
Kikuube District Beekeeping Farmers’ Cooperative Society chairperson Simon Byamukama says the increasing environmental destruction and use of herbicides by farmers is reducing the population of bees and other important insects.
He noted that because most farmers are using chemicals (herbicides) to prepare their gardens, the bees get killed as they move to collect pollen.
According to him, Kikuube used to have many bees but the population has reduced as a result of using herbicides and destruction of forest.
Byamukama adds that this is also a big challenge to the beekeepers because when they set up beehives it takes a long period for them to be colonised (bees entering and settling in them) and that in some cases, the hives remain uncolonised.
“In December, January and February, one would not spend a day without seeing a swarm of bees moving unlike nowadays and this has affected farmers,” he says.
Byamukama has challenged the leaders to sensitise and encourage farmers to use organic manure and herbicides that are friendly to the environment.
He made the remarks on Friday as farmers under the co-operative society were receiving honey processing machines to add value to their produce.
The machines were donated to the co-operative society by the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda, a non-government organisation that advocates for conservation of the environment, chimpanzees and their habitats.
The donated machines worth over shillings 30 million include honey press machines, setting tank, solar wax melter, steam wax melter and honey filter.
Byamukama expressed excitement about the donation of machines, adding that as farmers, they have been facing the challenge of processing the honey.
He noted that the machines would help the farmers to process some of the products such as wax which they have been wasting.
He noted that the co-operative society with over 80 members harvest between 10 to 15 jerrycans every season adding that they expect to harvest more since more farmers are joining the society.
Kikuube district vice-chairperson Opio Vicente commended the organisation for donating the machines to the farmers adding this will help them to add value and produce quality Honey.
Opio noted that the provision of these machines is expected to promote beekeeping in the district and improve their household income and environmental conservation.
He added that the processing of the bee products is also going to help the farmers to get the markets for their produce and challenged farmers to embrace beekeeping business because it requires little capital and contributes to conservation.
He promised that the district would support the farmers with one of the district buildings to install the machines and this building will act as the cooperative office.
He challenged the farmers to properly use the machines to ensure that they serve its intended purpose adding that when they utilize the machines, they will be able to produce quality honey, propolis and beeswax among others.
Dr Peter, an officer from the institute, said the donation was made after the district petitioned the organisation adding the Kikuube was considered because it is one of the districts in Bunyoro with the largest population of chimpanzees.
He added that they hope the promotion of beekeeping in the district will result in the protection of forests given the increasing environmental destruction.
