In Somalia, EcoBees has been working with local partners since 1993 to empower indigenous people and local communities in and around the Tieglow District of the Bakool Region.
Supporting people to make a sustainable living through caring for bees is central to our work there. Together, we are helping achieve livelihood security for Local beekeepers and Association indigenous communities through beekeeping, capacity building, and conservation of biodiversity.
In 2022, we delivered a Training of Trainers project, upskilling 35 local people and beginner beekeepers so that they could become independent and self-confident beekeepers, able to train others in their communities. The urgent need for more skilled beekeeper trainers has been raised by government agencies, local NGOs, and community associations. To support this work, EcoBees upgraded the training apiary at their premises in Tieglow District, and the trainees were helped to establish their own apiaries so they could grow and progress as independent beekeepers. We also published a practical training manual.
The Golweyne beekeepers, Elhawey, dhamaawe, Bolowkaa and Jimaale) showing a comb of bees to durrining the training seaasions as on Modern ways in Tieglow District. (extreme right) observing the bee comb.
Another female trainee, Biyooley, Jimaale and Abaqdheere districts is keen to share the new knowledge with students: “In May, beekeepers from nearby villages of Dhanaawe and Meddaa came to the field centre in Tieglow. I was able to open a beehive, show them the bees, and explain everything. Not only that, I was also able to sell some honey, and I have learned that there is a big demand for honey. I have placed my bees near farning areas in the Villages, in my backyard, and I have seen bees forage on the Harar & Adaad flowers. This year my Accacia yield was greater than before. I am also interested in stingless bee beekeeping, and I want to learn about Apis florea.”
beekeepers from Tieglow District has been using his newfound confidence to share his knowledge and experience on local radio, where he was invited to speak about bees on a radio show: “I participated in a radio programme about beekeeping and am teaching more and more people about beekeeping. I share my knowledge with anyone who asks. I now feel very confident as a beekeeper, and I can collect bees from the wild. For me, the best thing about beekeeping is that I can get an income from honey selling, even as I get older. My plan is to have 32 bee colonies by next year, to plant different types of bee forage, and become a resource person in any beekeeping training programme.”
The overall goal of the project was to support beekeeping development in Tieglow District and other parts of the Bakool Region. The trainees were provided with knowledge and skills in beekeeping and apiary management and were given bee colonies of their own so they could gain hands-on experience outside of the formal training programme. Any doubts and queries which occurred while the trainees were engaged in their own beekeeping were raised in the monthly training sessions, which combined discussion on practical challenges and experience sharing. We deliberately encouraged women’s participation.
Now, EcoBees is in the process of being registered with the Somali Government’s National Bee Board as a certified training organisation.
Tieglow District explained how she benefitted from the training programme: “I have gained so much confidence in terms of handling bees. Before this training opportunity, I never used to go anywhere near beehives, let alone train other people. I am now ready to give training to others, and there are four people who are willing to take the training in my village. I am mesmerised by the roles the different bees adopt – the workers, drones, and the queen. Before I took this training, I used to see bees flying and feeding on flowers. Now I know all about the work that they do.”