The successful launch of 4 honey farms is the highlight of INTERSOS Somalia this October. Through an agreement with the local host community, local authorities and UNHCR on October 19, 2011 in Galkayo, INTERSOS began implementation of a beekeeping project aimed at beneficiaries comprising internally displaced families residing in the Halabokhad IDP Settlement. This intervention is to support ongoing establishment of 12 vegetable farms on land donated by the host communities and towards improving the livelihoods of IDP families through supplementary incomes earned from honey production.
The project, financed by UNHCR, is expected to provide vulnerable families with incomes from the production and selling of honey.

The project is supported by a thriving local demand for pure natural honey and one of the highest farm gate prices at between US$18 and US$22 per kilo. On October 19, 2011, INTERSOS trained 15 family members on commercial beekeeping methods. The beneficiaries will also benefit from beekeeping kits and modern extraction equipment.  

It is also expected that the 4 honey farms will complement the 12 vegetable farms through natural cross pollination by bee colonies which will in turn boost the crop yields in the long term.  Through cash for work program, the beneficiary IDPs will participate in the day to day management of the vegetable farm and the 4 apiaries. This pilot project will run up to July 2012 where by expansion of the farms can be assessed based on results and project sustainability.

The launch of the project was led by the Governor of Galkayo Mr. Mohamed Yusuf Jama who said “We are happy to participate in such an event and we encourage the participants to cultivate and produce. I hope you will produce enough fresh vegetables for the region. For those who have received the honey farms, I’m sure they will earn enough because 1kg of honey in our market is about $22”.