CASE STUDY HONEY CARE AFRICA is a social enterprise founded in 2000 to raise incomes for the Kenyan poorest rural communities through sustainable apiculture as an alternative livelihood activity to and burning for many of the country’s poorest rural communities. Honey Care Africa poaching, timber-felling, charcoal Bee-keeping: an underdeveloped rural industry Traditionally, a rudimentary beekeeping in Kenya predominated in arid and semiarid regions of the country. Lacking modern hive equipment and specialised knowledge, apiculture throughout much of rural Kenya has always been based on the use of inefficient log hives and smoke to harvest honeycomb. Honey Care Africa has been creating partnerships between local communities, development agencies, and the private sector. Farmers are given a micro- to purchase high-quality Langstroth beehives to replace the traditional ones, in exchange for the preservation of forest areas within which the hives are housed. Additionally, they are given intensive training in apiculture and are supported to develop autonomous honey production. The enterprise provides a guaranteed fair-trade market. Honey Care collects the honey on-site and pays for it on the spot, then processes, packages, markets, and sells it, generating a small profit. loan Environmental, economic and social impacts Positive biodiversity impacts have been achieved through high levels of pollination and promoting the conservation of woodland areas for apiculture. Small-scale farmers are likely to see 15-30 percent growth in yield from other crops through increased pollination. Almost the half of the total beneficiaries are women, who can increase their involvement and status in the community. Honey Care has been creating additional employment opportunities: this enterprise has also trained and integrated hundreds of workers. An internationally-recognised success The model has been recognised within Kenya, regionally and internationally, as an example of a successful social enterprise, winning awards and funding from the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). In 2004, Honey Care was able to replicate its activities in Tanzania. 8 Say if the statements are true or false. Correct the false ones. Honey Care Africa aims at improving life quality in Kenya’s highly productive rural areas. ☐ T ☐ F Profits from beekeeping represent an alternative income-producing activity to unsustainable forestry or charcoal production. ☐ T ☐ F The use of modern beehives has been promoted. ☐ T ☐ F Improving beekeeping is not eco-friendly. ☐ T ☐ F Improving apiculture may result in reducing job opportunities. ☐ T ☐ F Honey Care operates only in Kenya. ☐ T ☐ F 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 9 Apiculture in Kenya helps satisfy some of the SDGs (2030 Agenda). Which ones? Discuss. GLOSSARY charcoal: carbone loan: prestito poaching: bracconaggio timber-felling: taglio della legna