Apiculture for forest conservation and livelihood improvement in Kilum-Ijim forest 2016-2018

In Kilim-Ijim local craftspeople are skilled in making good quality, inexpensive hives.

We worked with local partner Cameroon Gender and Environment Watch (CAMGEW), supporting forest-fringe communities to keep bees for income generation. The overall purpose was to alleviate poverty and to help make conservation pay – by demonstrating the financial benefits of sustainable forest management.

Project activities

• Teaching beehive construction, apiary set-up and maintenance and honey harvesting
• Tree-planting
• Exchange visits between new beekeepers and more experienced beekeepers to share learning and experiences
• Establishment and capacity building for community-based beekeeper cooperatives
• Advice and training about honey marketing
• Support for CAMGEW’s Honey Shop and marketing hub, serving local beekeepers

This work was funded with support from Hub Cymru Africa, Welsh Government and Size of Wales.