CSA collaborated with the United Disabled Persons of Laikipia (UDPL), to develop solutions for value-chain promotion for honey production for communities around Chesoi Forest station.
The current conventional methods of honey processing in the rural areas using firewood is both wood fuel wasting and contributes to pollution to the extent of compromising the quality of honey being processed. Honey is hygroscopic and will easily incorporate smoke into its volume.
The solution proposed by CSA has led to development of a honey processing innovation that utilizes solar energy. This innovation aims to address the following:
- Significantly reduce deforestation by replacing use of firewood with solar energy for sustainable honey processing
- Contribute to conservation of trees and forests to ensure uninterrupted flow of ecological services such as carbon sequestration
- Greatly improve the quality of honey through a smoke free process of purification
- Spurr entrepreneurship in honey production especially for marginalized groups of beekeepers including persons living with disability (PWD)
Further, this new found working relationship is directed towards building capacity of bee keepers in the establishment of viable enterprises in honey production that will translate into increased incomes and improved livelihoods.
Our partnership venture has already received invitation for capacity building to the honey and candle-making project run by Kileleoni Mara Widows and Children Rescue Centre in Narok County.
For more information, contact forests@csa.or.ke
