The Magic of Mixing Bees and Trees: How Integrated Farming Multiplies Impact

When we first proposed adding beekeeping to our cashew farmer program, some were skeptical. “Aren’t you spreading too thin? Focus on one thing and do it well.”

Three years later, the data tells a different story: farmers who participate in both programs don’t just earn more—they earn dramatically more than the sum of the parts would suggest.

The Cross-Pollination Effect

Cashew trees depend on pollinators for fruit production. While wind can transfer some pollen, insect pollination—particularly by bees—significantly increases fruit set rates.

Our field data shows:

That’s an 88% increase over control farmers, and 37% increase over our own cashew-only farmers—just from adding bees to the system.

Why Bees Supercharge Cashew Production

Three mechanisms drive the yield improvement:

1. Enhanced Pollination

Honeybees actively seek cashew blossoms for their nectar content. When hives are placed near cashew orchards, pollinator visits per flower increase dramatically, leading to higher fruit set rates.

2. Improved Fruit Quality

Better pollination doesn’t just produce more nuts—it produces better ones. Our quality grading data shows cashew + beekeeping farmers consistently achieve higher percentages of premium Grade A nuts.

3. Farmer Engagement

This is subtler but important: farmers who manage bees tend to pay more attention to their cashew trees. Daily hive inspections create opportunities to notice tree health issues earlier.

Economic Synergies

Beyond yield improvements, the economic case for integration is compelling:

Income Smoothing: Honey harvests occur twice yearly, between cashew seasons. This provides crucial cash flow when farmers typically have no income.

Risk Diversification: If cashew markets drop or harvests fail, honey provides a backup income stream.

Shared Infrastructure: Our collection and processing facilities handle both products, while field officers support both programs simultaneously.

Premium Products: The “Stawi Cashew Blossom Honey”—a single-origin honey produced during cashew flowering—commands premium prices in specialty markets.

Environmental Multipliers

The environmental benefits also compound:

Carbon Sequestration: Cashew trees store significant carbon, with increased yields (driven by better pollination) meaning more productive carbon sinks.

Biodiversity Support: Beekeeping creates incentives for farmers to preserve forest areas and flowering plants that serve as additional bee forage.

Soil Health: The agroforestry environment improves soil structure and reduces erosion compared to annual cropping systems.

Implementation Lessons

Rolling out an integrated program is harder than single-crop focus. Here’s what we’ve learned:

Timing Matters

We now recommend farmers establish cashew trees for at least two years before adding beehives. This ensures trees are productive enough to benefit from enhanced pollination.

Location, Location, Location

Hive placement requires thought. Too far from cashew blocks means fewer orchard visits. Too close risks pesticide exposure (we provide training on bee-safe pest management).

Training Integration

Initially, we ran separate training for cashew and beekeeping. Now we integrate the curricula, helping farmers see the connections themselves.

Looking Forward

As we scale, we’re exploring additional integration opportunities:

• Cover crops between young cashew trees that provide bee forage and fix nitrogen
• Stingless bee varieties suited to specific micro-climates
• Value-added products like propolis and beeswax from healthy hives
• Crop pollination services as an additional farmer income stream

The Bottom Line

Integrated farming isn’t just about doing two things at once—it’s about creating systems where each component reinforces the others.

For our farmers, this means higher yields, steadier income, and greater resilience. For the environment, it means healthier ecosystems. For Stawi, it means a stronger, more competitive operation.

The lesson? When designing agricultural programs, look for synergies. The whole really can be greater than the sum of its parts.

Dr. Peter Oloo is Head of Agriculture at Stawi. He holds a PhD in Tropical Agronomy from Sokoine University of Agriculture.