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Bees for Better Chances

Higher incomes through more efficient beekeeping

Thanks to good experiences with the pilot project “Tomorrow’s Honey”, ÖJAB expands their concept of sustainable, more efficient beekeeping as a source of income for rural households to the commune of Kourinion in the region Guiriko (until 2025: Hauts-Bassins) in Western Burkina Faso. ÖJAB introduces local beekeepers using traditional methods to more efficient, less invasive beekeeping methods and supports them in sales.

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About the development cooperation of ÖJAB

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations*

  • Goal 1: No Poverty
  • Goal 2: Zero Hunger
  • Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
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Background and Need

The people in Burkina Faso face many challenges during their economic development. Unemployment and a lack of economic perspectives are prevalent problems in rural areas, where the majority practises subsistence farming or livestock farming. Women and young people are particularly affected due to their low social standing in traditional social structures.

Beekeeping is becoming an increasingly popular source of extra income for many households, as it is a relatively accessible method of improving one’s financial situation. However, a lack of resources and knowledge about sustainable beekeeping hampers its potential.

Two women are working outdoors on a modern wooden beehive. One of the women is looking toward the camera, while the other is standing sideways and carrying a small child on her back in a colorful wrap. In the background, a dry landscape typical of Burkina Faso can be seen, along with other participants.Two beekeepers set up the new beehives.

Project Activities

With their project “Bees for Better Chances”, ÖJAB and their local project partner Agrovetapic support 50 Burkinabe beekeepers using traditional techniques to learn new methods and thus increase the production of honey and other bee products and make their work more sustainable. The beekeepers are provided with modern equipment including 100 beehives, protective clothing and other gear, that simplifies harvesting and checking the colony’s health condition.

Agrovetapic trains the beneficiaries in the use of their new tools and beehives, expands their beekeeping knowledge and supports them in other ways, such as how to recognize early signs of disease in the colony.

Besides increasing yields, selling the bees’ products is key to increase the beekeepers’ income. For this purpose, ÖJAB helps them establish a co-operative to create more marketing opportunities and thus achieve higher prices for their wares. Furthermore, some of the honey extraction equipment can be used communally.

A Burkinabe man is standing in a simple training room and giving a lecture. He is pointing to a presentation projected onto the wall showing images of beehives, while several participants, including women wearing head coverings, are seated on benches and listening. In front of him is a table with a laptop and a projector; the earthen wall of the room and the plain furnishings emphasize the practical, hands-on educational setting of the beekeeping project.An expert from Agrovetapic gives a training course on modern beekeeping to the beneficiaries.

Impact

The improvement of production methods leads to a significant improvement, both in quality and in quantity of honey yields. Organizing in a co-operative allows for a better market position, further leading to much higher incomes. The modern and less invasive methods of checking the bees’ condition and harvesting their products contribute to the bee colonies’ health, which in turn has a positive impact on local biodiversity.

  • A group of adults is standing outdoors on dry ground among bushes and trees, jointly discussing beekeeping work. Several people are holding wooden frames with combs in their hands; an open beehive box lies on the ground. One person is carrying a child on their back. The group appears focused and engaged in exchanging views about working with the bees.Project beneficiaries prepare the beehives for installation in the field.
  • Multiple adult hands are working on open beehive boxes outdoors. Wooden frames with yellowish wax foundation sheets are being held, inserted, and inspected. The scene depicts collaborative beekeeping work from a bird's-eye view, focusing on the careful preparation of the comb frames for colonization by a bee colony.Preparing the hive: beneficiaries place embossed wax (yellow) on the central axis of the hive's bars. This step allows the bees to build straight combs, making it easier to manage the hive and harvest honey.
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*The content of this publication has not been approved by the United Nations and does not reflect the views of the United Nations or its officials or member states.