Beekeepers want help find a sweet spot

By EREBIRI ZURENUOC
MANY locally made products are yet to reach the market and there is a need to support those products, an entrepreneur says.
Bulolo honey buyer and founder of Bulolo Golden Honey, Shirley Sonoling, said there should be ways to help farmers in rural areas make money.
“The idea of beekeeping came about because many women who are unemployed and are taking part in agricultural activities cannot travel long distances to sell their produce,” she said. “The deteriorating road conditions and the weather are contributing factors.
“Many people think that the mining projects will support them, but this is not it.
“Women must maintain their environment and land to make ends meet.”
Bulolo Golden Honey is organic, and ii bought from local farmers, especially mothers and their children, in the Buang local level government.
The honey supplied depends on the number of beehives that each farmer has. “I visit the farms, harvest the honey myself, and
pay the farmer K12 per kg,” Sonoling said.
“I just work from home, procuring bottles, both for the 500g and 250g with their labels. I later order the boxes, which are packed with 24 bottles each, before I sell.
“The bottles are sold for K17 and K10, and a box is worth around K408.”
Sonoling said the best thing about bee keeping ws that the bees help to pollinate cash crops such as coffee and cocoa.