Interrogating The Role of Apiculture In Food Security And Nutrition In Kenya

International Journal of Economics and Management Studies

© 2020 by SSRG - IJEMS Journal

Volume 7 Issue 6

Year of Publication : 2020

Authors : Joseph Nyerere Kimia

10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V7I6P113

How to Cite?

Joseph Nyerere Kimia, "Interrogating The Role of Apiculture In Food Security And Nutrition In Kenya," SSRG International Journal of Economics and Management Studies, vol. 7,  no. 6, pp. 85-91, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23939125/IJEMS-V7I6P113

Abstract:

Despite considerable investment in agriculture, Kenya is a net importer of food, with one out of three Kenyans unsure of where their next meal is coming from, according to the “Global Hunger Index 2018”. Two-thirds of Kenya landmass is classified as arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL); the dry areas in Kenya usually face acute food and nutrition insecurity due to the devastating effects of drought, climate change and desert locusts. The ASAL experiences unreliable rainfall, with most of the households practising crop and traditional livestock farming that relies on the rains; thus, they remain food insecure most of the time. The dry areas paradoxically hold a huge honeybee population, and the ability of honey production is high due to different ecological conditions. Bee-keeping (apiculture) is a livestock subsector with a huge untapped potential to contribute to Kenya's rural household income and foreign earnings. It is an uncomplicated venture, relatively cheap to start and enhances the environment through the pollinating activity of bees. Apiculture, therefore, has the potential of promoting economic development by supplementing household incomes from selling honey and other products from the hive and contributing to the management of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes by replacing sugar with honey as a sweetener. Investment in apiculture also contributes to environmental conservation since it reduces pressure on agricultural land due to the limited areas under occupation by beehives as compared to traditional crops and livestock, not to mention that the practice is people and environment friendly. Apiculture does not rely on the rains to improve food security and conserve the environment

Keywords:

Apiculture, ASAL, Nutrition, Food security

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