Use of herbicides killing bees, honey cooperative cries out
KIKUUBE, March 19, 2024 – Bee farmers in Kikuube district say the increasing use of herbicides in the district is killing the insects known for collecting flower nectar and turning it into honey.
Simon Byamukama, Chairperson for Kikuube Beekeeping Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited expressed the concern that the use of herbicides has reduced the population of bees in the district, making honey production a daunting business.
He said the bees get killed as they move to collect pollen from the plants sprayed by herbicides during garden preparation.
He noted Bunyoro Sub-region used to have many bees but the population of the bees has gone down further due to deforestation taking place in the area.
He said some beehives installed by the cooperative have remained empty due to the low population of bees in the area, resulting in the cooperative making little money from the business.
He added: “In the past, during the months of December, January and February, one would not spend a day without seeing a swarm of bees. Nowadays, it is hard to see the bees and it has affected the farmers.”
He challenged the leaders to sensitise and encourage farmers to use agricultural inputs that are friendly to the environment.
He made the remarks on Wednesday as farmers of the Cooperative were receiving honey processing equipment worth Shs 30 million.
The machines were donated to the Cooperative by Jane Goodall Institute Uganda a not-for-profit organisation that advocates for conservation of the environment, chimpanzees and their habitats.
The Kikuube district LCV Vice-chairman Vincent Opio commended Jane Goodall Institute Uganda for donating the machines to the farmers, saying they will help farmers to produce high quality honey and improve household incomes.
He challenged the farmers to ensure that the honey equipment donated serve their intended purpose.
He added that beekeeping business because it requires little capital and but also contributes to environmental conservation.
Dr. Peter, an officer from Jane Goodall Institute Uganda said they donated the honey processing equipment after Kikuube district leaders petitioned the organisation.
https://thecooperator.news/beekeeping-kwania-cooperative-members-earning-big-from-venture/
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