The Mozambique Honey Company (MHC), an SNV client organisation was awarded the first prize in the “Nature Challenge” competition. Sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF); the 5,000 EUR award supports businesses in Mozambique that drive ecosystem improvement, while involving local communities and stimulating economic development. The promoter, André Vonk earlier won a business trip to The Netherlands, to present the business plan to an international audience of investors.
The company gained praise from the jury for its innovative approach to beekeeping; focusing on appropriate and affordable technology. Beekeepers generally use tree bark to build hives – which is both expensive and causes deforestation. The Mozambique Honey Co. applies a sustainable solution by building hives from cheaper local materials such as mud and bamboo. The shift to diverse materials will reduce deforestation of hard-wood trees. More importantly - for many farmers, who could not afford timber hives, the new hives are a new livelihood.
More beekeeping brings far-reaching environmental impact. Increased pollination improves the yields of crops like maize, beans and sesame and the quality of natural forests. Beekeepers carefully protect their apiaries from fire, helping protect forests and biodiversity.
Eco-Micaia, partner in the company on behalf of the beekeepers, will fund the training of the first 1.000+ farmers in hive management and harvesting. Adherence to Fair-trade and Organic standards for production and trade relations, will assure that beekeepers get a fair deal and open up export markets. MHC ensures market access by buying the farmers’ honey for local sales and export. In the first years, the Mozambican markets will be targeted; both high-end supermarkets and the ‘bottom of the pyramid’ with single unit packaging.
After five years, the 5,000 Mozambique farmers are expected to produce 500 tonnes of organic honey per year, which will translate into an increase in revenue of 1 million USD for the farmers.