Nandi County: Bee farmers from Nandi County have been urged to embrace organic farming practices to mitigate the threat posed by agrochemicals to bee populations. This call to action was made during the World Bee Day celebrations in Nandi County, where stakeholders highlighted the adverse impact of pesticides and herbicides on bees.
According to Kenya News Agency, the farmers and stakeholders expressed concerns over the declining bee population due to the continued use of harmful agrochemicals. Dickson Tanui from Highlands Honey in Nandi Hills emphasized the need for agrochemical companies to develop bee-friendly herbicides and pesticides to ensure the sustainability of honey production. "We are asking agrochemical companies to launch pest and herb killer products that are friendly to the bees," Tanui stated.
Dr. John Chumo, Conservation Secretary at the Kenya Wildlife Service, also addressed the challenges facing bees, including climate change, habitat loss, and the persistent use of toxic chemicals in modern agriculture. He urged the country to explore alternative methods for weed and pest control, noting the international trend of a declining bee population due to these factors. Chumo also encouraged Nandi residents to invest in beekeeping to enhance economic benefits, citing the region's rich biodiversity as a conducive environment for the practice.
Rev. Philip Ruto, an Anglican Church cleric, called upon churches in Nandi to engage the youth in beekeeping activities, highlighting its potential as a significant source of employment. He also encouraged existing beekeepers to form cooperative societies to negotiate better honey prices in both local and international markets.
The World Bee Day event was organized by Highlands Honey in partnership with Kiptabkei Environmental CBO and Nandi East Kenya Forest Service Station, and it included the planting of 3,000 trees to commemorate the day.