Mbabane – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, has wrapped up a five-day capacity-building workshop for veterinary and livestock extension officers on honeybee farming and apiculture management. The training, held across all four regions of Eswatini, aims to strengthen extension services and accelerate sustainable growth in the beekeeping sector.
Beekeeping supports rural livelihoods through honey production, crop pollination, biodiversity conservation, and income diversification. Many smallholder farmers face challenges from limited technical expertise and extension support. The workshop addressed these gaps, covering honeybee farming and colony management, apiary establishment, best management practices, honeybee biology and behaviour, pest and disease control, harvesting, value addition of hive products, data collection, and enhanced extension methodologies.
“The beekeeping sector is a vital pillar for rural development and environmental sustainability in Eswatini,” said Dr. Thembi Ndlangamandla, National Apiculture Focal Point. “Equipping our extension officers with advanced apiculture skills represents a strategic investment in resilient and profitable enterprises that will benefit farming communities for generations.”
Dr. Ndlangamandla added that the training empowers officers to guide smallholder farmers in constructing and managing their own beehives, boosting production, securing livelihoods, and improving quality of life in rural communities.
Selby Mduduzi Nyawo, Livestock Officer at the Ministry of Agriculture, said, “Robust extension services are essential to unlocking the full potential of apiculture – from improved crop pollination and diversified incomes to stronger rural economies.” Trained officers are now poised to drive nationwide growth, promoting bee-friendly indigenous flora and supporting dedicated apiculture hubs.
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