Nature's Nectar Limited
Nature’s Nectar transitions local beekeepers from traditional bark hives to more sustainable beehives. Traditional bark beehives kill one nectar producing tree for every hive made, last only 2-5 years and are dangerous to harvest from. Nature's Nectar is one of two actors in Zambia that distributes and sells longer lasting beehives made of local and sustainable pine.
The hives save local forests, create a safer beekeeping experience as well as a larger harvest. The honey produced is purchased, processed and sold by the company to buyers abroad.
- Increasing rural incomes, thus providing much needed funds towards children’s education
- Training women farmer in modern beekeeping skills
- Increasing safety of current honey producers because of suits and pulley systems, therefore protecting them from the bees and having to climb trees
- Reducing deforestation by installing protected areas for beekeeping and changing to non-wood based beehives
- By providing safer harvesting method for bees, the longevity of bee colonies is assured
- Preserving bee populations by providing hives in a natural environment away from pesticides, herbicides and other harmful contaminants.
- Reducing poaching by providing an alternative income to local actors
- Increasing rural farmer income by 10% minimum annually
- Increasing Zambian honey export by up to 500 tonnes annually for 50,000 beehives
- Employing local staff at 30% above average annual income for the first 50,000 beehives
Partners
Trident Foundation, focused on park management and programmes, determines beehive locations and beneficiaries, and guides the Nature's Nectar team.
Local honey company Ubuchi provides the enterprise with a processing facility, thus expanding its processing capabilities and feeds in their honey stock so the organisations together can meet client orders.