News Beekeeping as a catalyst for sustainable development and environmental protection in Togo

In collaboration with Case Togo, the Urbis Foundation has successfully implemented the project ‘Beekeeping and sustainable protection of the ecosystems of the Eweto mountain’ in the prefecture of Kpélé, Togo. The aim of the project was to promote sustainable development and support local communities. Case Togo, an organisation specialising in environmental protection and poverty reduction, implemented the project with a strong focus on the active participation of the local population.

The project built on the successful reforestation project from 2016 and aimed to establish beekeeping as an additional source of income for small farmers. It was also intended to improve the pollination of agricultural yields and contribute to the promotion of biodiversity.

The project was launched at the beginning of this year with a series of awareness-raising events on the importance of bees for agriculture and the environment. An experienced beekeeping expert imparted valuable knowledge on safe and sustainable beekeeping to the participants. A total of 18 beehives were built, installed and populated with Adam and Kenyan bees. These have now been successfully colonised and a honey harvest of around 10 to 12 litres per hive is expected.

The project has already brought about positive changes in the environmental awareness of the participating farmers. The beehives are regularly looked after by local teams. The long-term goal of the project is to further expand beekeeping in the region and to provide the farmers with the necessary knowledge to continue honey production independently.