Beekeeping boosts environmental protection in Pader District

10 February 2026, 10:12 am

By Okwong Geoffrey

Beekeeping is increasingly emerging as a powerful tool for both environmental conservation and livelihood improvement in Pader District, local leaders and practitioners have said.

According to Wycliffe Odong, Director of Kitamu Honey, farmers in the district are adopting nature-based beekeeping under the Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) approach, which discourages tree cutting when establishing apiaries. Instead, farmers are encouraged to protect existing trees and plant more to improve bee habitats and enhance the environment.

Odong explained that beekeeping requires minimal space — about the size of two small rooms — making it easy to combine with crop farming. He urged community members to embrace apiculture as a sustainable income-generating activity that also supports forest conservation and biodiversity protection.

Unlike activities such as charcoal burning and indiscriminate tree cutting, beekeeping depends on a healthy ecosystem. This, Odong noted, motivates farmers to conserve trees and plant flowering plants that sustain bee populations, leading to long-term environmental benefits.

He added that Kitamu Honey’s operations are currently concentrated in areas with shea trees but also extend across East Acholi, where a processing center has been established.

Norbert Okellokoko, the Agricultural Officer for Acholibur, confirmed that many people across Pader District are engaged in beekeeping as private enterprises. He added that under the government’s climate-smart agriculture programme, beekeepers are expected to benefit from ongoing enrollment, with funds set to be released soon to support farmers.

Continued adoption of nature-based beekeeping is expected to significantly contribute to environmental protection and improved household incomes across Pader District.