Inspiring the next generation of beekeepers: Practical beekeeping training for Mzuzu University

Mzuzu University is one of three Malawian universities with a semester long apiculture course. It is offered for second-year forestry students with the objective to “impart knowledge and skills on beekeeping as a profession and a business”. The current course is theoretical, with little practical training.

Bees for Development and Mzuzu University have partnered to provide practical beekeeping training for forestry students.

Jarret Mhango, the former apiculture lecture visiting a nearby beekeeper’s apiary with students. The new practical course will also include more field visits to beekeeping businesses.

Beekeeping requires practical knowledge. While theory provides an introduction, practical experience is key for both effective extension work with beekeepers, and to start a beekeeping business. It is important to have experience building bee hives, harvesting and processing clean honey and beeswax, and experience in setting up and managing apiaries. Practical skills in these areas will improve graduates’ contribution to integrated beekeeping and forestry projects.

Honey bees are important for livelihoods across Africa, ranging from small-scale farmers to commercial businesses. Beekeeping can be low input with high outputs, as honey bees collect naturally available nectar and pollen and produce valuable honey and beeswax. There is a growing need for a young generation of beekeepers with practical knowledge of honey bees and beekeeping best practices – whether to start beekeeping themselves or to share information and resources with others during their careers. Graduates from universities are likely to take up roles as leaders, managers and decision-makers within the forestry sector. A robust understanding of where apiculture fits as a forest management tool and integrated activity is essential.

Lenson Simumba, the beekeeping trainer.

Top-bar bee hives made by Lenson for the training apiary.

Bees for Development recognizes the importance of beekeeping education being offered in tertiary education institutions and is developing a programme of practical training for students at Mzuzu University.

We have selected beekeeper trainer Lenson Simumba, who has over twenty years of experience in training beekeepers, beekeeping development and bee product marketing.

Last month, Lenson built bee hives for the training apiary which will be established at Mzuzu University. He will use the apiary to lead practical training sessions for the students, complementing the theoretical lessons. You can read more about Lenson here.

At Bees for Development, we are developing a practical training guide for the course. The guide will outline resources needed, provide key items for discussion during practical training, and suggest activities for the students. This will be shared on Bees for Development’s Resource Centre for use by other institutions.

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