OUR VISION
Nature’s Nectar provides Kenyan Top Bar Beehives to rural Zambian beekeepers with the goal of reducing deforestation and the poaching of Wild animals. Our aim is to reach 50,000 beehives surrounding the area of the West Lunga National Park, creating an income for 5,000 farmers while saving thousands of trees in the local forests. Our program transitions local beekeepers from traditional bark hives to Kenyan top bar hives. Bark beehives are created by stripping trees of their bark, thus killing 1 local tree for every beehive.
Beehives distributed by us are made of wood from local and sustainable pine plantations. Our hives save the local forests and last for up to 25 years, therefore creating a more sustainable income for rural communities.
Our program is focussed on providing a livelihood for farmers surrounding the West Lunga GMA to not only reduce deforestation but to also eliminate the need to poach local animals.
WHO WE ARE
Kyle Curry and Katherine Milling came to Zambia in 2014 as Peace Corps Volunteers. Throughout their service, they fell more and more in love with Zambia and its people. They decided to stay and continue working in Zambia where they found jobs with a honey company. Once they had experience with this company, they decided to start their own project to sustainably produce honey and impact rural Zambians while reducing deforestation.
Jonas Schuten grew up with beekeeping in his blood. During his childhood he learned about honey and bees from his father who is a beekeeper. Jonas came to Zambia in 2007 and has worked in various capacities around the country. He has over 4 years of expereicne working in the honey industry and is greatly passionate about creating income for rural Zambians.
Davies Ilunga has lived in the Ntambu area for most of his life. He has been learning and experiencing honey production since he was a child. For the last 2 years, Davies has been working with honey farmers to help connect them to the Zambian and international honey market. His expertise is vital to creating trust within local communities and to making this project a large success.
IMPACTS ON LIVELIHOODS
We currently have 1000 beehives distributed among 2 different communities with 100 farmers. Farmers will be paid $1 per kg of raw honey they produce. We estimate each farmer receiving between $100 and $200 each year, increasing their annual income by 10% or more. The first harvest of these hives will occur in the December 2018/January 2019 season.
IMPACTS ON GENDER AND THE ENVIRONMENT
50% of farmers are women who live within the beneficiary communities, creating more economic control of their lives.
By providing beehives, we are enhancing pollination and protecting the flora from the effects of climate change. This program will reduce charcoal production as well as poaching by providing an alternative income. There will also be an impact in the preservation of bee population by providing hives in the natural environment away from pesticides, herbicides and other harmful contaminants This program is deliberate in its ways to impact as many men and women in rural communities, while protecting the local forests.
THE FUTURE
If actions to protect this environment are not taken now, the future of this area is unknown. In the 1950’s the West Lunga area was abundant with wild aniamls of all shapes and sizes. These animals are now few and far between.
Just like the animals, this important forest area can disappear, taking with it the ability of rural Zambians to produce honey vital to their lives. We see the protection of this local environment necessary to the future livelihood of the area as well as the people who inhabit it.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
With your support, we will be able to impact the lives of many more farmers. The intial goal of this campaign is to raise enough money for 500 beehives for 50 farmers and a stretch goal of 2000 beehives for 200 farmers. With each farmer receiving 10 beehives, the cost to build and distribute is $250. We greatly appreciate your support in creating income for rural Zambians and protecting the local environment.
