Beekeeping Program

Sweet Success: The Stawi Beekeeping Program

Beekeeping represents a perfect complement to our cashew initiative. Bees don’t just produce valuable honey—they dramatically increase cashew yields through pollination, creating a powerful synergy that multiplies farmer income.

Stawi’s Beekeeping Program makes modern apiculture accessible to smallholder farmers, even those with no prior experience.

Why Beekeeping?

Triple Benefits

1. Direct Honey Income: Premium honey sells at excellent prices, providing regular cash flow between cashew harvests

2. Improved Crop Yields: Bee pollination can increase cashew yields by 30-50%

3. Environmental Conservation: Beekeeping incentivizes forest preservation and biodiversity

Low Barrier to Entry

Unlike many agricultural ventures, beekeeping requires:

• Minimal land (hives can be placed on existing land)
• Low startup costs (when supported by Stawi)
• Limited daily labor (a few hours per week)
• Quick returns (honey harvest within 6-12 months)

Program Components

Modern Hive Technology

We provide farmers with improved Langstroth and Kenya Top Bar hives:

• Langstroth Hives: Higher yield potential, easier honey extraction
• Top Bar Hives: Lower cost, simpler management
• Both options: Durable construction, bee-friendly design

Each participating farmer receives:

• 5 complete hives to start
• Protective equipment (suit, gloves, veil)
• Basic tools (smoker, hive tool, brush)
• Expansion support as colonies grow

Comprehensive Training

Our apiculture specialists provide training in:

Beginner Level:

• Bee biology and behavior
• Hive installation and placement
• Safety and protective practices
• Colony inspection basics

Intermediate Level:

• Colony management and splitting
• Disease and pest identification
• Seasonal management
• Queen rearing basics

Advanced Level:

• Commercial scale operations
• Value-added products (beeswax, propolis)
• Quality standards and certification

Honey Collection & Processing

Farm-Gate Collection: Our vehicles collect honey directly from farmer cooperatives, eliminating transport challenges.

Quality Processing: Our honey processing facility ensures:

• Proper filtration and straining
• Moisture content optimization
• Quality testing and grading
• Hygienic packaging

Premium Markets: We market honey under the “Stawi Pure” brand to:

• Premium supermarkets and specialty stores
• Health food exporters
• Hospitality industry (hotels, restaurants)
• International organic markets

The Cashew-Bee Synergy

When farmers participate in both programs, the magic happens:

Impact Numbers

Success Story: The Kirua Cooperative

“When Stawi introduced beekeeping, we were skeptical. Now, our 40-member cooperative produces over 3,000 kg of honey per season. But the real surprise? Our cashew harvest increased by almost 40%. The bees pay for themselves many times over.”

— John Mwamba, Cooperative Chairman, Mtwara Region

Honey Products

Our processed honey meets international standards:

Stawi Pure Raw Honey

• Unheated, unfiltered
• Full enzyme and nutrient content
• Available in 250g, 500g, 1kg jars

Stawi Organic Honey

• Certified organic production
• Premium export quality
• Single-origin traceability

Stawi Cashew Blossom Honey

• Unique single-varietal honey
• Light, delicate flavor profile
• Limited seasonal availability

Getting Started

Ready to add beekeeping to your farm? Here’s the process:

1. Express Interest through our contact form or field office
2. Site Assessment by our apiculture specialist
3. Training Enrollment (typically 3-day initial course)
4. Hive Installation at optimal locations on your property
5. Ongoing Support through regular monitoring visits

Apply Now | View Cashewnut Program