Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Wycliffe Oparanya has unveiled a contractual beekeeping initiative in Likuyani, Kakamega County, aimed at expanding income opportunities for farmers and strengthening rural cooperative economies.
The farmer empowerment forum brought together cooperative leaders, ministry officials, county administrators, coffee farmers, and representatives from Savannah Honey, led by Head of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships James Kimathi and Program Coordinator Petros Mwita.
The initiative seeks to promote beekeeping as an alternative and complementary source of income for farmers traditionally reliant on crops such as coffee.
Speaking at the event, CS Oparanya urged farmers to embrace modern agribusiness opportunities that can generate consistent income while strengthening cooperative movements across the country.
The forum focused on contractual beekeeping as a strategy for sustainable wealth creation, poverty reduction, and rural economic transformation.
Rose Mwaura, Chief Advisor at the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, said contractual beekeeping has the potential to become one of the most impactful economic empowerment models for farmers in the region.
Farmers attending the training were taken through modern beekeeping technologies, contractual honey production systems, value addition to honey, market access, income diversification beyond coffee farming, environmental conservation through pollination, and the development of sustainable cooperative economies.
Organizers said the programme is designed to equip farmers with practical skills while linking them to structured markets through contractual honey production arrangements.
Savannah Honey said it will continue supporting grassroots economic empowerment initiatives by connecting farmers with market-driven beekeeping opportunities aimed at creating jobs, improving household incomes, and strengthening food security.
The event highlighted growing efforts to diversify agricultural production and promote value chain development as part of broader rural economic empowerment programmes in Kakamega County and across Kenya.
