SIKANJABUKA’S RISE IN BEEKEEPING

A few kilometres outside Katima Mulilo, in the northeastern Zambezi region, lies Sikanjabuka, a small rural community embracing sustainable development. Through the Namibian Integrated Landscape Approach for Enhancing Livelihoods and Environmental Governance (NILALEG), beekeeping has become a transformative initiative, merging environmental restoration with livelihood improvement. Today, 21 trained beekeepers generate income while strengthening the community’s resilience.

Sikanjabuka’s flowering vegetation, nearby water sources, and tranquil setting provide optimal conditions for beekeeping. Beekeepers carefully suspend trapping boxes in shaded, flowering trees to attract wild bees, which are later relocated to the apiary for honey production.

While honey production offers great potential, it is heavily influenced by seasonal cycles, with rainfall fluctuations directly impacting output. Josephine Sinvula, Vice Secretary of the Sikanjabuka Community Forest and a dedicated beekeeper for four years, shares, “Due to last year’s poor rains and the ongoing drought, many bees have absconded, leaving us with just one active hive.” To maintain colony strength during times of low nectar availability, beekeepers resort to supplementing with sugar syrup feeding.

Apart from these obstacles, Sikanjabuka’s beekeepers remain committed, expanding trapping sites near riverbanks where cooler conditions and blooming flowers support bee activity. By planting more flowering vegetation and investing in local skills, the community is building a stronger and more sustainable beekeeping industry. Through NILALEG’s support, Sikanjabuka is not just producing honey — it’s safeguarding its natural heritage for future generations.