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Photo credit: Roxanna Samii Hablemikael Luul's beehive

Bee-keeping is an alternative source of income for rural families, especially in times of drought, when food security is at risk. Luul, an Eritrean farmer, has learned how to keep bees and avoid their sting, and now he is content with his livelihood of producing honey, or liquid gold. IFAD funded operations in Eritrea encourage farmers to diversify their income-generating activities — producing honey, dairy products or livestock to sell — and provide the financing, training and support they need.

Logo Anseba, a subregion in Gash Barka, is located in the highlands at altitudes of 1,600 to 2,400 m above sea level, and it has a semi-arid climate. Like other Eritrean farmers, the producers of Logo Anseba engage in agriculture, horticulture and livestock-raising.

On household plots of up to 1 hectare (ha), they cultivate barley, sorghum, millet, maize, wheat, chickpeas, beans and horse beans. Some households have small plots of about 0.1 ha for growing vegetables and other produce. Almost all of the farmers also own at least three to five head of livestock.

Photo credit: Roxanna Samii Hablemikael Luul's beehives

Agricultural and livestock activities supported by the IFAD-funded Gash Barka livestock and Agricultural Development Project and the Post-crisis Rural Recovery and Development Programme (PRRDP) have helped improve the livelihoods and food security of the area’s poor rural households. Farmers engaged in income-generating activities can ensure adequate food security for their families. "Logo Anseba farmers are now selling dairy products such as milk and butter, and their children are able to drink milk at least twice a day," says Gebregiorgio Tekle, an extension worker. "Another income-generating activity is the sale of livestock. Farmers can sell a cow for as much as 7,000 nafka, and a goat for 600 nakfa."

This year drought is threatening the livelihoods of Eritrean farmers. Hablemikael Luul, a local farmer, will probably be less severely hit by the drought because he engages in an alternative income-generating activity. Luul is one of 150 bee-keepers in Logo Anseba.

Bee-keeping is one of the oldest forms of food production, dating back to 13,000 BC. The Government of Eritrea has supported the activity for the last decade. In 1998 the government introduced a modern beehive production system. To encourage farmers to engage in the activity, in 2000 the government offered them loans for the purchase of beehives, with a four-year grace period.

Photo credit: Roxanna Samii Hablemikael Luul, beekeeper

"I got my beehives three years ago. I have eight modern hives and one traditional one," says Luul. "At the beginning it was not easy, as the bees used to fly away. Then slowly but surely I got a handle on the situation and now I have a pretty good business."

Luul invested 1,000 nafka in large bee colonies and 500 nafka in small ones. Within three years he managed to consolidate his business. "I've been paying back my loan for the last two years and have two more years to go."

While the drought may have less impact on Luul's honey business, one of his biggest challenges is to make sure his bees can get enough nectar, since honeybees need to visit 100 to 1,500 flowers to fill their honey stomachs.

"The bees visit the euphorbia, eucalyptus and Cordia africana trees in the surroundings," says Luul. "But often this does not yield enough nectar, so I need to feed the bees with sugar and water. I dissolve 1 kg of sugar, for which I pay 30 nafka, in a litre of water and put it inside the hive."

Photo credit: Roxanna Samii Luul wearing his body protective suit

Luul harvests honey three times a year. His modern hives yield 30 kg and the traditional ones yield 20 kg per harvest. "I sell my honey for 180 nafka per kg in the local market and sometimes I take it to Asmara," he says.

Luul received training in bee-keeping and knows about importance of protecting himself against the stings of bees, wasps and hornets. When his family in Germany found out about his new activity, they sent him a full bodysuit. Luul's wife also made him a homemade suit, which is sometimes used by other members of the family.

"I am really happy with my new business. This is much better than working on the farm," explains Luul. "I am getting old, and farm work is really drudgery. Bee-keeping, on the other hand, requires less stamina and I make good money."

Photo credit: Roxanna Samii Luul banking on honey for a sweet future

Luul's vision is to expand his business and produce another colony through swarming. "Hopefully when I expand the business I will be able to put aside some money and pay off my loan much faster," he says.

Luul is banking on his liquid gold to make a better life for his family. Given the growing demand for honey, he has a sweet future in store.  

Source: IFAD