Beekeeping and forestry go hand in hand. Green Resources encourages the local community to get increased economic benefits from the forest, both the miombo woodland and the plantation forests that we create. The local authorities in the areas where we operate have also requested our support for the local bee-keepers. Green Resources support to the beekeeping industry and honey production in Kilombero and Mufindi districts in 2005 and 2006 amounts to TSh 16 mn (US$13,000), not including the product development work undertaken by Sao Hill Industries.

New Type Beehives

In 2006, the district bee-keeping officer in Kilombero district assisted Sao Hill Industries in designing a new top-bar hive. This bee hive is significantly more productive than the traditional bee-hives.

The beehives represent a new value added product for Sao Hill Industries, and will primarily be sold in the domestic market.

Masagati Beekeeping Associations

The Kilombero beekeeping officer organized a program for the beekeeping associations in Masagati, handing out 46 new style bee hives for free to the associations. Another 54 beehives have been constructed and will be placed out in 2007.

In 2005, GRL constructed 25 beehives for an experiment for the use of the workers and villages. In Uchindele, bees occupied 10 hives and the first honey was harvested in 2006, a small but encouraging start. This part of the honey projects is managed by GRL's local plantation managers.

Masagati Honey

In response to a request from the Masagati villages, GRL purchased 2,500 kg honey which will be sold onwards on a non-profit basis. The Masagati Honey comes from the local miombo woodlands and is a delicious, first class honey. All natural, all organic, and all very fair trade.