2006 Press Releases

Ambassador's Special Self Help Fund Assists Koya Honey Bee Farmers

August 17, 2006

Freetown

Contact: Public Affairs Officer
Tel: 226481 ext 209

On August 17, United States Ambassador, Thomas N. Hull, launched the Koya Honey Bee project, in Newton on the outskirts of Freetown.  The Koya Rural Bee Keepers association won an 11.6 million leones grant from the Ambassador’s Special Self Help (SSH) fund to introduce a new method of honey bee farming that preserves forests and bees and increases yields of honey by using smoke rather than fire to harvest.  Using this method, the honey bees, after the harvest, return to their hives to produce more honey and beeswax.
At the event, Ambassador Hull presented the project’s coordinator, Mr. Samuel E.K. Harding, and 13 other recipients with materials to facilitate their work.  These included smokers, which produce smoke to drive the honey bees temporarily from their hives, and jump suits, boots, gloves, and hats with mesh netting to protect against bee stings.  Among the recipients were Ahmadiyya Agricultural Secondary School and Magbafth Vocational Junior Secondary School which will teach students to use the new technique.
The production of quality honey and beeswax could be of great benefit to Sierra Leone as both domestic and export products.  Honey has been used for thousands of years in food and medicine, and beeswax is used in cosmetics, soaps, candles, and lubricants.  The project has attracted the attention of Fair Trade Labeling Organization International, a German organization that helps farmers’ cooperatives in the developing world get fair market price for their products.  The adoption of fair trade standards internationally has created potential for adding value to Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector.
At the launching ceremony, Ambassador Hull noted that “The Koya Rural Bee Keepers project connects a modern technique with an ancient practice.  The bee keepers’ efforts will raise income through increased production, protect surrounding forests from non-essential fires, and increase pollination levels – and therefore increase the yields – of surrounding fruit crops.  Increased production will open up the possibility for even greater financial benefit through a fair trade certified export industry.  The Koya Rural Bee Keepers are an example to entrepreneurs and farmers throughout the country by showing what can be achieved when a community comes together.  The American Embassy is pleased to be associated with this initiative.”