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Livelihood improvement and smallholder beekeeping in Kenya: the unrealised potential

Author

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  • Thomas Carroll
  • Jim Kinsella

Abstract

This article examines the potential of beekeeping, as an appropriate livelihood strategy for smallholder farm households using the sustainable livelihoods framework. A study undertaken over a six-year period (2004–9) with over 300 small-scale farmers in Kenya's Rift Valley Province found that despite excellent revenue earning potential, honey yields and returns remain comparatively low. Compared to maize, the staple crop of most Kenyan farmers, it was found that a typical ten-hive enterprise generated earnings equivalent to 0.86ha of maize. The article emphasises the need to build human capital for beekeeping rather than just promoting modern beehives. L'amélioration des moyens d'existence pour les petits apiculteurs au Kenya Cet article examine le potentiel de l'apiculture comme une stratégie adaptée à l'amélioration des sources de revenu pour les ménages de petits agriculteurs en se servant du cadre moyens d'existence renouvelable. Une étude d'une durée de six ans (2004-09) entrepris parmi plus de 300 petits agriculteurs dans le Rift Valley Province du Kenya a trouvé que, malgré le potentiel excellent pour faire des bénéfices, la récolte du miel et les revenus restent relativement faibles. Une comparaison avec le maïs, la culture de base de la plupart de fermiers kényans, a trouvé qu'une entreprise typique de dix ruches génère un revenu qui est l'équivalent de celui produit par 0.86ha de maïs. L'article souligne l'importance de développer le capital humain pour l'apiculture plutôt que de se limiter à la promotion de ruches modernes. Mejoras en los medios de vida y los pequeños apicultores de Kenia: el potencial no realizado El presente artículo analiza el potencial que tiene la apicultura como estrategia de sustento para los pequeños productores que utilizan el marco de medios de vida sustentables. Durante seis años, de 2004 a 2009, se llevó a cabo un estudio entre 300 pequeños productores de la provincia del Valle Rift en Kenia, el cual evidenció que, a pesar de su excelente potencial para generar ingresos, los rendimientos de miel y las ganancias se mantienen relativamente bajos. Asimismo, se halló que, en comparación con el maíz, cultivo básico de la mayoría de los campesinos kenianos, el conjunto típico de 10 colmenas generó ganancias equivalentes a 0.86 ha de maíz. El artículo concluye afirmando que, además de promover la apicultura moderna, es necesario construir el capital humano para la apicultura. Melhoria dos meios de subsistência e pequenos produtores de abelhas no Quênia: o potencial não-percebido Esse artigo examina o potencial da apicultura como estratégia adequada para meios de subsistência de famílias de pequenos produtores rurais utilizando a estrutura de meios de subsistência sustentáveis. Um estudo realizado durante um período de seis anos (2004–9) com mais de 300 pequenos produtores rurais da Província de Rift Valley, no Quênia, constatou que apesar do excelente potencial para gerar renda, a produtividade e rendimento da apicultura permanecem comparativamente baixos. Em comparação com o milho, plantação básica da maioria dos produtores rurais quenianos, constatou-se que um empreendimento típico com dez colméias gerou ganhos equivalentes a 0.86ha de milho. O artigo enfatiza a necessidade de se desenvolver capital humano para apicultura em vez de apenas promover instalações modernas para a produção de abelhas.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Carroll & Jim Kinsella, 2013. "Livelihood improvement and smallholder beekeeping in Kenya: the unrealised potential," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 332-345.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:cdipxx:v:23:y:2013:i:3:p:332-345
    DOI: 10.1080/09614524.2013.781123
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    Cited by:

    1. Tabe-Ojong, Martin Paul Jr., 2023. "Action against invasive species: Charcoal production, beekeeping, and Prosopis eradication in Kenya," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    2. Mwandifura John & Dr Chikazhe & Dr Mashavakure, N. & Dr Manyeruke & Mharidzo Innocent & Zinyama M & Mudyahoto R, 2021. "Factors Influencing Women and Youths Honey Producers into Honey Value Addition in Manicaland of Zimbabwe," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 5(12), pages 420-429, December.

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