Summary:
- According to Augustine Opolot, the WWF coordinator, the 500 beehives were distributed alongside value-added materials worth $300 million, including cans, buckets, gloves, and other tools aimed at providing a sustainable alternative for the community and promoting eco-friendly interventions.
KATAKWI: The government, through the World Wide Fund (WWF) and the Ministry of Water and Environment, has provided beehives to wetland encroachers in Katakwi District as a means of subsistence.
Residents of the sub-counties of Katakwi and Getom recently endorsed alternative government initiatives, such as apiculture, fish farming, and skills training, as part of efforts to reduce wetland degradation. This was highlighted during a training session on the importance of wetlands.
The support, delivered on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, addresses one of the community’s major concerns: the lack of viable alternatives, which has driven many people to encroach on and destroy wetlands.
In response, WWF and the Ministry of Water and Environment distributed 500 beehives to over 100 farmers across four sub-counties Katakwi Town Council, Ngariam, Getom, and Palam in Katakwi District.
According to Augustine Opolot, the WWF coordinator, the 500 beehives were distributed alongside value-added materials worth $300 million, including cans, buckets, gloves, and other tools aimed at providing a sustainable alternative for the community and promoting eco-friendly interventions.
Opolot also noted that beneficiaries received training on the production of modern stoves and a demonstration of fish ponds.
Moses Odicar, the WWF community liaison officer, told this station that the beekeeping groups will help the community increase income through honey sales.
He urged the community to embrace this new agricultural initiative, emphasizing that it could help eradicate poverty in households.
“We will continue monitoring all the projects until the community fully realizes the purpose of this initiative,” Odicar stated.
Justine Iberut and Martine Alongu, residents of Aboiboi village in Abela parish, Getom Sub-County, were among the 20 beneficiaries. They expressed optimism that the equipment would help former wetland encroachers generate higher incomes through beekeeping.
Katakwi District Chairman Geoffrey Omolo praised the government for its innovative approach in supporting farmers who had been encroaching on wetlands.
“As the district leadership of Katakwi, we will continue monitoring and sensitizing the community on the benefits of this new project,” Omolo said.
