Community members in Traditional Authority (T/A) Timbiri in Nkhata Bay District have transformed their livelihoods courtesy of bee-farming under the Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (Trade) programme.
To improve production, the Trade programme equipped farmers with skills and provided them with modern beehives.
I Chisomo Kambandanga
Speaking on Thursday when Nkhata Bay district community development officer Jacob Moloko visited Mtoto Cooperative at Mpamba in T/A Timbiri, the cooperative’s treasurer Maggie Malamula said they were previously producing about 40 kilogrammes (kg) of honey annually because they did not have skills and proper equipment.
“Fortunately, the Trade programme came to our rescue and provided training and materials such as smokers, bee suits and 14 modern beehives which helped us increase production,” she said.
Malamula said the cooperative harvested about 350kg of honey last year and expressed optimism that production will increase this year.
She noted that demand for honey in the area remains high, forcing the cooperative to buy additional honey from local farmers to meet market needs.
On his part, the cooperative’s member John Manda said the skills they gained have improved not only production, but also household livelihoods, as members are now able to support their families through increased income.
Moloko expressed satisfaction with the progress of the programme, noting that it is contributing to economic empowerment and household development.
“From what we have observed, cooperatives are doing well. Honey production is improving and empowering households economically. This is good for the district as we strive to end poverty,” he said.
Moloko commended the Trade programme for training cooperatives in business management skills, adding that the council remains committed to providing necessary support, including strengthening savings groups.
Trade programme is a Malawi Government-led initiative supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development, focusing on boosting smallholder farmers’ incomes through commercialisation, improved market access and value chain development
