Program Launched: March 2, 2023

Savannah Honey, one of Africa’s leading beekeeping companies, is transforming Kenya’s agricultural landscape through its subsidized national beekeeping promotion program, “Don’t Let Your Land Stay Idle.”

Launched on March 2, 2023, at the Savannah Honey Beekeeping Centre in Utawala, Nairobi, the initiative targets 7,000 farmers nationwide and directly addresses the fact that Kenya currently imports 80% of its honey and over 95% of its bee pollen, propolis, and bee venom—despite having a production potential of 100,000 metric tonnes.

CEO Kyalo Mutua encourages farmers to utilize idle land, stating, “It’s an investment that doesn’t require any input and labour… and it has very high returns.” Since the launch, the company has deployed apiarists across the country who serve clients within 24 hours whenever the need arises.

Program benefits include:

Free technical support (colony division, strengthening, and requeening)

Langstroth hives delivered and installed at reduced prices

Full apiary management and free training

Land leasing for interested clients without property

A 5-year guaranteed market contract for honey, propolis, bee pollen, royal jelly, wax, and bee venom at favorable prices

With honey retailing at Sh800 per kilogram (and fetching up to $25 in the Arab market), bee pollen at Sh6,800 per kg, propolis at Sh1,900 per kg, and bee venom at Sh4,000 per gram, the returns are substantial. The company’s initiative addresses Kenya’s long-standing honey production deficit, which has persisted since independence, leading to heavy reliance on imports despite the country’s significant beekeeping potential.