Safeguard Bees and Beekeepers in Madagascar

The economic impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, compounded by the worst drought since 1981, have left small-scale beekeepers in a difficult situation amid soaring prices for staple foods. With failed harvests drastically reducing food and incomes, resulting in famine, there is an urgent need for strengthening alternative, sustainable livelihood strategies.

One key challenge faced by Project Renitantely beekeepers is the limited access to markets. All target communities are located within 35km of the more lucrative urban market of Fort Dauphin; however, poor infrastructure and prohibitive transport costs force honey sellers to travel by foot, taking up to 12 hours. The inability to afford overnight stays in Fort Dauphin results in an urgency to sell the honey, reducing its price.

To address this challenge, SEED has identified a new route to market. A Malagasy honey exporter that markets to international consumers operates near Project Renitantely’s six target communities. The company uses a honey extractor, which currently isn’t compatible with the hive frames Project Renitantely beekeepers use. SEED will help adapt the hives to make them compatible with the extractor. SEED will also trial the use of wax foundations that bees build honeycomb on inside the frames. These wax foundations save bees’ energies and can therefore increase the honey yield that can be sold by beekeepers.

Without SEED’s intervention, beneficiaries may have to abandon their beekeeping enterprises to meet immediate needs during an increased period of economic hardship. To prevent this, SEED is seeking funding for this interim project to improve beekeeping as a viable and sustainable livelihood by addressing key challenges faced by beekeepers.

Misaotra betsaka (Thank you very much) for supporting Project Renitantely!