‎Cashew farmers trained in beekeeping to diversify means of livelihood

‎The initiative championed by MIMSHACK Co-operative Cashew Farmers Marketing Society Limited and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) through the Forest and Farm Facility (FFF), is expected to equip farmers with alternative income-generating opportunities while enhancing pollination on their cashew farms.

‎Speaking during the training programme, the General Manager of MIMSHACK Co-operative Cashew Farmers Marketing Society Limited, Amos Kwasi Bintir expressed appreciation to FAO-FFF for supporting the initiative, describing beekeeping as an important livelihood alternative for cashew farmers.

According to him, placing beehives on members’ farms will enable farmers to harvest and sell honey for additional income while the presence of bees will improve pollination, potentially contributing to increased cashew yields.

‎About 150 farmers would receive beehives to install on their farms and would also be provided with the necessary equipment and protective gear required for beekeeping.

‎Mr. Bintir indicated that the cooperative had acquired the necessary tools and equipment to support members throughout the process, from hive management to honey harvesting.

‎The Municipal Agriculture Department is also supporting the initiative by providing technical guidance to ensure that farmers adopt appropriate and hygienic methods of harvesting honey.

‎The leadership stressed the need for farmers to take the training seriously and demonstrate commitment to the initiative, noting that beekeeping requires genuine interest, dedication and proper management to achieve sustainable results.

‎The beneficiaries expressed their profound appreciation to the facilitators, including officials from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), beekeeping experts, and project coordinators, for delivering the training and equipping them with practical knowledge and skills to enhance their livelihoods and expand their opportunities within the agricultural sector.

‎The programme represents an important step towards strengthening the resilience of cashew farmers by combining agricultural production with complementary income-generating activities such as beekeeping.