Introducing the next generation of beekeepers
Blog by William Van Blyderveen
Posted: 10 February 2026
Bees for Development has successfully completed the second round of the Mzuzu University Apiculture Course, supporting more than fifty students to deepen their understanding of honey bees and the beekeeping sector in Malawi.
Through this course, students are building the knowledge and skills needed to strengthen sustainable livelihoods and support the future of beekeeping in the country.
We emphasised practical training throughout the course with students learning to build their own hives, manage apiaries, harvest and process honey, and make value added products. One student mentioned,
“I like the practical nature of the course, especially hands on hive management, honey harvesting and bee products processing.”
The following are introductions from several students at Mzuzu University.
Students setting up a Top-bar hive
Joyful Chitonya
Joyful Chitonya making a fixed comb hive
Joyful holding a comb
Please tell us a little bit about yourself
My name is Joyful Chitonya. I am originally from Karonga, but I am currently living in Lilongwe. My aspiration for the future is to own my own farmland where I can practice integrated farming and promote environmental conservation. I am passionate about sustainable agriculture and forestry, and I hope to create a farm that supports both community development and environmental protection through responsible tree planting and natural resource management.
Why are you interested in becoming a beekeeper?
I am interested in becoming a beekeeper because I believe beekeeping plays an important role in both environmental conservation and sustainable income generation. Since bees contribute significantly to pollination, which supports healthy forest ecosystems and improves crop productivity on the farm. By practicing beekeeping alongside forestry, I can help restore natural habitats, promote biodiversity, and create a balanced farming system. In addition, beekeeping offers a reliable source of income through honey and other hive products. This makes beekeeping a valuable activity for both environmental conservation and building my future farming business.
Please share one highlight from the practical training so far.
One highlight from the practical training was visiting the beehives in Lupaso apiary. Seeing the bees in their natural environment helped me understand their behaviour and how they interact with the hive. Observing this first-hand gave me a clear overview of how beehives are managed, including how to approach them safely, how to identify an active hive, and how to assess their strength. This experience strengthened my confidence and interest in beekeeping, and it helped me see how practical skills connect with integrated farming and forestry activities.
Emmanuel Dyson Nkhoma
Emmanuel inspecting a Top-bar hive
Emmanuel using a refractometer to check the water content of honey
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am from Salima district, Malawi. I have always been interested in natural resource management. I enjoy learning practical skills that can help improve livelihoods and support environmental sustainability. In the future, I would like to develop myself further in forestry enterprises, especially those that can generate income while preserving the environment. I hope to grow into a skilled and responsible beekeeper who can manage hives, produce quality honey, and possibly train others in my community.
What beekeeping fact or information has interested you the most in the course so far?
One of the most interesting things I learned is how organized and efficient a bee colony is. Every bee has a specific role – whether it is the queen, workers, or drones – and they work together to maintain the hive. I was especially fascinated by how bees communicate through pheromones and the “waggle dance” to show the location of nectar sources. Understanding the behaviour and biology of bees has helped me appreciate the importance of proper hive management.
Please share one highlight from the practical training so far.
I enjoyed learning how to uncap the combs, filter the honey, testing the honey for water content, temperature and other parameters and also ensuring that it is handled hygienically. Seeing the transformation from raw honey in the combs to clean, golden, bottled honey was exciting. It helped me understand the importance of proper handling, cleanliness, and patience during extraction. This experience gave me confidence that I can safely process honey on my own and produce a high-quality product.
Tamara Chiona
Tamara with a newly built Top-bar hive
Setting up the university apiary
Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am Tamara Chiona from Mulanje District, Malawi. I am a student at Mzuzu University studying a bachelor’s degree in Forestry and Environmental Management. In the future, I would like to work with communities to promote sustainable forest-based livelihoods, beekeeping, and agroforestry, but most importantly, to set up my own company in processing and selling bee products.
Why are you interested in becoming a beekeeper?
Beekeeping is important for improving livelihoods, supporting forest conservation, and providing a sustainable income. I also enjoy learning how bees contribute to the environment through pollination.
What beekeeping fact or information has interested you the most in the course so far?
The most interesting fact is about honey processing and handling using different techniques. I found this part very crucial because it directly affects the quality of honey on the market.
