Bees for Business in Kabwohe, Uganda: End of Project Report

This project, launched in February 2024, supported 210 coffee farmers (46% women) in western Uganda to diversify into beekeeping, providing them with a second source of income alongside coffee farming. To deliver this project we worked in partnership with Ugandan coffee co-operative, Banyankole Coffee Services (BCS).

Activity 1: Constructing and distributing 1,050 beehives and live stands

Throughout March and April 2024, 1,050 Kenya Top Bar beehives (KTB hives) were constructed locally and distributed to the 210 farmers, each farmer receiving five hives. To support the hives, the farmers also received ‘live stands’. These are live trees, specially cut to hold the hives at an optimal height above the ground, and planted strategically among their coffee trees. The farmers chose these stands over metal or wooden frames due to their longevity and durability. As the trees grow, they will provide protective shade for their coffee trees.

Activity 2: Training in beekeeping skills

In March 2024, all 210 farmers received training in beekeeping skills. The training consisted of both theoretical and practical components, with hands-on demonstrations led by an experienced local beekeeper. The session was led by a district entomologist, the agronomist at BCS, and a local trainer and seasoned beekeeper.

The training introduced farmers to the key concepts of beekeeping, including hive placement, how to establish a bee friendly environment, the different types of bees, the importance of bees on coffee farms and the economic benefits of beekeeping.

Activity 3: Training in honey harvesting skills

Throughout July and August 2024, the farmers received practical and theoretical training in honey harvesting skills. Topics covered included understanding the harvest seasons, how to use the tools and equipment correctly to ensure the honey collected is of high quality and how to remove the honeycomb from the wooden slats.

Activity 4: Distributing beekeeping tools and equipment

Following the training in honey harvesting skills, the farmers were provided with the necessary tools and equipment. Each farmer received boots, a knife for removing honeycomb, an airtight bucket, a jug and straining cloths. In groups of three, they also received bee suits, smokers and safety gloves. 

Two refractometers were also purchased to determine the percentage of moisture in the honey to support with quality assessment. During the training, the farmers were taught how to maintain and clean the tools to increase their longevity.

Activity 5: Providing agroforestry trees and agroforestry training

In late August 2024, the farmers received training in agroforestry skills, including the environmental importance of trees, such as reducing soil erosion and retaining moisture in the soil, and the positive impact that shade trees have on coffee tree growth. They also discussed the benefits of tree planting in attracting bees to their honey hives and the impact of bee pollination on coffee flower production.

In November 2024, 7,200 Calliandra seedlings were distributed to the farmers who received support with the planting and spacing of the trees among their coffee trees (when fully grown, each tree will provide shade for up to 40 coffee trees). The original plan was to distribute trees to the farmers in September, immediately after the training; however, the heavy rain season started later than usual, which meant the trees could not be distributed until November.

Activity 6: Establishing a honey processing shop, purchasing processing machines, packaging and marketing activities

In January, BCS began searching for suitable premises to process, store, and sell their honey. Initially, they secured a space beneath their office, but it later became unavailable. In February, BCS secured an alternative location, which required some improvements to meet honey processing standards. BCS contributed £695 towards tiling, painting, installing shelving, and fitting a new door. As a result, the purchase of processing equipment was delayed until the shop was secure.

In March 2025, honey processing machines were purchased from Malaika Honey, an Australian Ugandan social enterprise specialising in African Beekeeping development and based in Kampala.

Airtight containers were purchased to hygienically store the honey and leaflets were produced to start promoting the honey to local and regional buyers. 

Activity 7: Providing training in honey processing techniques

In May 2025, training in honey processing methods was delivered to BCS by an expert from WAC-Western Apiary Cooperation in western Uganda. In total, 17 people attended the training, including four technical staff, three board members and 10 farmers representing the beekeepers. The training was both practical and theoretical and focussed on increasing awareness of processing and quality control protocols and how to operate and maintain the machines.

BCS intend to sell some of the honey locally to support local consumption whilst continuing to explore national buyers. Malaika Honey, the supplier of the processing equipment, has also committed to purchasing some honey produced.

Project Impacts

Overall, this project has been successful in achieving most of its outcomes. Due to project savings and a favourable exchange rate, we were also able to expand to include additional activities that further enhanced long-term sustainability.

Key achievements include:

• The distribution of 1,050 high quality and durable beehives, which will provide a source of income for farmers for the next eight to ten years.
• The establishment of a dedicated honey shop, providing the enterprise with a specific space to operate from, ensuring that the honey can be processed and stored in accordance with market requirements.
• Strong engagement and motivation from farmers and continued financial and operational commitment from BCS.
• Ongoing support from BCS’s agronomist, who will continue to provide extension services to the farmers
• Active engagement with potential buyers led by BCS General Manager
• Planting of agroforestry trees to provide shade to the coffee plants, ensuring increased yield.
• Increased knowledge in beekeeping practices

The following project outcomes are based on the 210 farmers surveyed at the start of the project, and 177 farmers surveyed during the final evaluation.

Outcome 1: 210 farmers have established a sustainably managed beekeeping enterprise

Before this project, 98% (206) of farmers surveyed had never practised beekeeping and 100% had never received any formal training in beekeeping. Following this project, all farmers received comprehensive training in beekeeping skills and honey harvesting, with 77% reporting high or very high knowledge in beehive maintenance and 58% reporting high or very high knowledge in honey harvesting techniques. Ninety-five per cent (169) of farmers surveyed at the end of the project reported they had sufficient skills to continue practising beekeeping.

Outcome 2: Each of the 210 farmers has produced 35kg of honey, earning £187, increasing their financial resilience

On average, each farmer produced 10kg of honey from their first harvest, with two expected harvests per year. During the first months of production, heavy rainfall and high temperatures made the environment unfavourable for bees, resulting in slow hive colonisation and a lower-than-expected harvest. Over the next year, production is expected to meet the 35kg target as the number of bees has increased, and the farmers will experience two harvests per year.

Honey production and sales as of 30th June 2025

• Honey produced: 2,018kg
• Honey sold: 2,018kg
• Total value of payment to BCS farmers: £8,012 (Av per kg - £3.96)
• Total sales value paid to BCS: £8,704 (Av. per kg - £4.44)

Outcome 3: Coffee production has increased by 50% over the next four years as a result of increased pollination from bees

During the baseline assessment conducted at the start of this project, 82% of farmers (173) told us they were dissatisfied or highly dissatisfied with their coffee production. Although it is too soon to observe changes in coffee production as a result of these project activities, 81% (141) of farmers surveyed at the end of the project were confident or very confident that their production would increase and that coffee would provide them with a sustainable income.

To track changes in production, 98% of farmers (173) now often or always keep records of coffee production, compared to only 41% at baseline. Additionally, 89% (158) now record income from coffee sales, compared to 48% at baseline.

Outcome 4: 210 farmers have increased their climate resilience and improved coffee yield through planting of agro-forestry trees

At the start of the project, 69% (144) of farmers reported that they had intercropped their farms with native and fruit trees, but 92% (132) indicated that the trees were inadequate. Following the provision of agroforestry trees, 96% (170) reported that their trees are now adequate or very adequate. At the start of the project 86% (182) reported a low knowledge of the environmental benefits of agroforestry trees on coffee production. Following the training in agroforestry, 91% (161) rated their knowledge as high or very high.

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We hope you enjoyed reading this project update from our sister charity, Shared Interest Foundation.

Since 2004, thanks to the Foundation's incredible supporters, it has delivered 51 projects in 15 countries, reaching over 13,000 farmers and artisans. Support the Foundation's work today and help to build a fairer world for the future.

If you have any questions about this project, please feel free to speak with a member of the Foundation team via email here.