By Reuben Olita, Busia
Amagoro Integrated Development (AMID) Community-Based Organisation (CBO) has recruited over 60 farmers from the Teso region to venture into modern beekeeping and sunflower farming. The initiative will be funded by FarmBees Africa.
According to AMID Organizing Secretary Robert Murega, FarmBees Africa will provide fodder and forage for bees and apiculture support, but only to registered members. He urged interested farmers to register early by paying a Ksh1, 000 fee to avoid missing out.
Murega highlighted the profitability of beekeeping, noting that farmers can earn up to Ksh100, 000 in profit from just five Langstroth hives. He added that 1kg of honey sells for Ksh1, 000, while 500 grams fetches Ksh500.
The CBO, which began with four founding members—Katakwa Diocese Bishop Emeritus Dr. Zakayos Epus (Patron), Murega (Organizing Secretary), Samson Enarach (Secretary), and Ambrose Ong’ura (Vice Chair)—has seen steady growth. Current members include cluster chairpersons Fobian Isogol (Kamolo Area), Charles Obali (Chakol B), Lawrence Omanyala (Amagoro A), and Alloyce Emeje (Aboloi).
Murega also announced a major boost for the organization following the appointment of Eng. Christopher Okwii as the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Emormor Kingdom.
Three farmers from Amagoro have already received grants and will undergo capacity-building training from FarmBees Africa. The training will focus on the use of Langstroth hives to extract hybrid honey and explore value addition along the honey and sunflower value chains.
Speaking during a sensitization meeting at Amagoro Junior School, AMID field officer Daniel Okapesi said the upcoming training would also emphasize value addition to empower the community, especially in Teso North.
“Modern beekeeping using Langstroth hives involves setting up an apiary with rails for hive placement, access to water, and minimal disturbance from shrubs. Farmers can harvest honey up to four times a year,” said Okapesi.
AMID Chairman Samuel Etyang said the organization is targeting 500 members, describing beekeeping as a low-cost yet highly rewarding venture. He noted that with four harvests annually, farmers can earn a clean profit of approximately Ksh100, 000.
Vice Chair Ambrose Ong’ura praised the growth of the CBO, which has expanded from 18 to 60 members, and expressed optimism about future recruitment.
After the meeting, Okapesi led a team to inspect Langstroth beehives at Kong’or village, the home of AMID Patron and Bishop Emeritus Dr. Zakayos Epus, who was accompanied by his wife, Madam Catherine Epus.
In his welcoming remarks, Bishop Epus said he began with just three beehives and has now expanded to 33, with plans to increase them to at least 100. “Beekeeping is a profitable venture. In a recent harvest, I collected 50 kilograms and 20 grams of honey, which sold for Ksh1,000 and Ksh500 respectively,” he said.
Dignitaries present included retired Justice Mathews Emukule, former councillor Fobian Isogol, and retired Chief Pasiliano Ikoito.
