The Youth Fund and Savannah Honey have signed a Collaborative Agreement to provide Kenyan youth with opportunities for income creation in the beekeeping value chain. The partnership aims to equip young entrepreneurs in the industry with access to funding, entrepreneurship training, specialized knowledge, mentorship, and market access. The collaboration will also support the establishment of a sustainable and eco-friendly income source for youth, advocating for biodiversity preservation and food security.

The partnership between Youth Fund and Savannah Honey is an exciting development in the beekeeping industry in Kenya. The two organizations have come together to empower young people by providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to succeed in beekeeping and to develop a reliable market for their bee products.

Youth Fund was established by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in Kenya in 2007 to help young people create employment opportunities through enterprise development. The organization provides funding and other resources to young people who want to start or expand their businesses. By partnering with Savannah Honey, Youth Fund has created a unique opportunity for young people to get involved in the beekeeping industry.

In his remarks, Youth Fund CEO, Mr. Josiah Moriasi said that the increasing global demand for beekeeping products positions this partnership to play a critical role in boosting the local and international market presence of youth-led enterprises in the beekeeping value chain. “This partnership is expected to create a significant impact on the lives of young entrepreneurs in the beekeeping value chain, addressing youth unemployment and promoting sustainable development” he said

Savannah Honey CEO, Mr. Kyalo Mutua, outlined their commitment to supporting interested youth in beekeeping by raising awareness of the various services offered by Savannah Honey and facilitating access to these services. “Savannah Honey will help deliver and install beehives and other beekeeping equipment for participating youth, provide technical support and ensure a reliable market for various beekeeping products, such as honey, bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, wax, and bee venom’, he said

Benefits

One of the main benefits of the partnership between Youth Fund and Savannah Honey is the creation of a reliable market for bee products. Savannah Honey has an established network of buyers for honey, beeswax, propolis, and other bee products. By working with Savannah Honey, young people involved in beekeeping will have a reliable market for their products, which will help them earn a sustainable income and grow their businesses.

In addition to providing technical support and market access, Savannah Honey will also offer training to young people involved in beekeeping. The training will cover topics such as beekeeping techniques, disease management, and honey harvesting. This will equip young people with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in beekeeping and develop a sustainable business.

This partnership will provide young people with an opportunity to get involved in beekeeping, which is a highly lucrative business. Beekeeping is an important industry in Kenya, and the country is one of the largest producers of honey in Africa. However, many young people have not had the opportunity to participate in the industry due to lack of resources and knowledge.

The partnership between Youth Fund and Savannah Honey also aims to address this by providing funding and technical support to young people who are interested in beekeeping. This will help to remove some of the barriers to entry in the industry, such as the cost of equipment and training.

The partnership also helps to address some of the challenges facing the beekeeping industry in Kenya. For example, the industry has been affected by climate change, which has led to changes in rainfall patterns and the availability of flowers for bees to pollinate. By promoting sustainable practices, such as the use of organic farming methods and the protection of natural habitats and ecosystems, the partnership can help to address some of these challenges and promote the growth and sustainability of the industry.

Another benefit of the partnership is that it promotes gender equality by encouraging the inclusion of young women in the beekeeping business. Women have traditionally been underrepresented in the industry, and the partnership provides an opportunity to promote gender equality and empower young women to succeed in beekeeping.

By promoting sustainable beekeeping practices, the partnership can help to conserve the environment and promote biodiversity. Bees are essential for pollinating crops, and their role in maintaining biodiversity is critical. By supporting young people in beekeeping and promoting sustainable practices, the partnership is contributing to the protection and conservation of natural habitats and ecosystems.

The partnership is also aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In particular, it supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By promoting beekeeping as a sustainable business opportunity, the partnership will help to create decent work for young people and promote responsible consumption and production practices.

Moreover, this partnership will also contribute to the reduction of poverty and hunger, as it will provide young people with a source of income to meet their basic needs. It will also promote gender equality as young women will also be included in the beekeeping business.

Support To SMEs

This partnership highlights the importance of supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs). SMEs are an essential component of the economy, particularly in developing countries. They create jobs, contribute to economic growth, and promote innovation and entrepreneurship. By providing funding and resources to young people involved in beekeeping, Youth Fund and Savannah Honey are supporting the growth of SMEs in the beekeeping industry.

The partnership also encourages the adoption of sustainable practices in the beekeeping industry. Savannah Honey is committed to promoting sustainable beekeeping practices and has developed a reputation for producing high-quality, sustainably sourced bee products. By working with young people involved in beekeeping, Savannah Honey can promote sustainable practices, such as the use of organic farming methods and the protection of natural habitats and ecosystems.

In addition to promoting sustainable practices, the partnership between Youth Fund and Savannah Honey can also help to address some of the challenges facing the beekeeping industry in Kenya. For example, the industry faces challenges such as climate change, pests, and diseases. By providing technical support and training to young people involved in beekeeping, the partnership can help to address these challenges and promote the growth and sustainability of the industry.

Finally, the partnership between Youth Fund and Savannah Honey is an excellent example of how organizations can work together to achieve a common goal. By pooling their resources and expertise, Youth Fund and Savannah Honey can create a more significant impact than they would be able to achieve individually. The partnership demonstrates the potential for collaboration between the public and private sectors to promote sustainable development and support young people in building their businesses.

The partnership between Youth Fund and Savannah Honey is a positive development in the beekeeping industry in Kenya. It will create employment opportunities, promote sustainable practices, and support the growth and sustainability of the industry. The partnership highlights the importance of supporting SMEs and the potential for collaboration between organizations to achieve common goals. By empowering young people to succeed in beekeeping, the partnership is contributing to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and promoting sustainable development in Kenya.