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Kenya Beehive Project, Kenya

This sustainability initiative focuses on increasing bee populations, promoting biodiversity, and providing additional income to farmers through beehive distribution. 

Project general info

Location
kenya MT Kenya and Aberdares, Kenya
Project goal
Launched in 2023, the goal of this sustainable development project in Kenya is to increase the bee population, promote biodiversity, and enhance the livelihoods of farmers by providing them with the skills and resources needed for sustainable beekeeping. Farmers receive training, sell honey and other bee products, and benefit from an increased income.
Team members
haron wachira_profile picture_orange-1

Haron Wachira
Project Director Kenya

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James Wachieni
Field Operations Director Kenya

Project description
  • Status: Pilot campaign
  • Price per bond: €500
  • ROI: 8% annually
  • Duration: 4 years
  • Interest payment: every quarter
Project type

Impact investing

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Saving our ecosystems

Bees are essential to biodiversity. One hive alone pollinates fruit trees, flowers, and crops within a 5-kilometre radius. Pollination is necessary for more than 70% of food crops, especially fruits and vegetables, making bees indispensable to our food supply. However, bee populations are declining at an alarming rate globally. Through this project, we contribute to the survival of these vital pollinators, ensuring the health and sustainability of our ecosystems.

Kenya Honey Bees Project_saving our ecosystem
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Empowering farmers

In Kenya, the average income of a farmer is only €92 per month, with many living from harvest to harvest. This project offers an additional income source through sustainable beekeeping, with each hive generating around €28 annually, increasing a farmer’s income by approximately 2.5%. This seemingly modest increase can make a significant difference, enabling farmers to afford necessities such as their children's education. Through this project, we not only support environmental sustainability but also improve the economic stability of Kenyan farming communities.

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Ensuring economic and ecological sustainability

The project's innovative approach includes a 'Table Banking Arrangement'a system where borrowers are joint guarantors, significantly reducing the likelihood of default. Each beehive produces about 1016 kilos of honey per year. This honey is sold in local markets and to hotels across Kenya, ensuring a sustainable income for farmers. By combining ecological benefits with social impact, this project is a key initiative for promoting sustainable development and community empowerment.

Kenya Honey Bees Project_saving our ecosystem (1)

Kenya Beehive Project pipeline

  • New projects
  • Feasibility study
  • Project design
  • Project validation
  • Project implementation
  • Periodic verification
  • Project completion

Strengthening local economies through beekeeping

This project significantly impacts local economies by creating jobs and fostering community collaboration. Five carpenters are employed for two months to produce 1,000 hives while participating farmers receive comprehensive training and ongoing support in how to safely keep bees. They then gain additional income by selling the honey, wax, and propolis produced by the bees. The bees, in turn, pollinate flowers and crops, thus also creating an ecological return.

 

By empowering farmers with knowledge and resources, the project fosters economic resilience and strengthens the social fabric of Kenyan rural communities.

UNSustainableDevelopmentGoals_Brand-01
1,000 beehives
200 farmers
5,000 hectares polinated
± 2.5% income increase for farmers

Where the project is located

kenya Mt Kenya and Aberdares, Kenya

About this region

The project is being developed in Kenya in the Mt Kenya and Aberdare regions, which are essential for increasing levels of biodiversity. These areas are known for their diverse ecosystems that range from mountains, tropical areas, drylands, forests, and arid lands. Kenya is home to a great variety of life, with over 35,000 species of flora and fauna. 

 

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What we will achieve with this project

50%

Increase in regional bee population

500

Families positively impacted

1,000

Beehives to be distributed

5,000

Hectares of crops pollinated

2.5%

Average income increase for farmers

Find out more

Download the project fact sheet to find out more about this project and how to invest in this sustainable initiative. Invest today, earn returns, and make a difference.  

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Project investment process

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Choose your amount

Review our terms, then choose the investment amount you wish to invest.

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Complete your investment

Register your details and securely complete your investment.

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Access your portfolio

You can access your online investment portfolio and receive regular updates.

Invest now: Transform lives and sustain our planet

Seize the opportunity to make a real difference by investing in this groundbreaking project today! By funding beehives for Kenyan farmers, you not only earn an 8% return but also contribute to global biodiversity and the economic stability of rural communities. Each hive you sponsor pollinates essential crops, combats the alarming decline of bee populations, and generates sustainable income for families.

Frequently asked questions

Why are beehives important?

Bees pollinate crops, making them essential to our food production. Worldwide, almost 70% of crops depend on bees. At the same time, bee populations around the world are under pressure. Beekeepers have seen declines in bee colonies for years. The causes of this are broad: pesticide use, monoculture, and encroaching urbanisation threaten the health of bees and, thus, our food supply. This makes bees perhaps the most critical part of global food production. They make sure we have food. So by investing in housing for bees, we are not only looking after them but also ourselves.

Who are the beekeepers in this project?

Seasoned beekeeping professionals are hired to transfer their knowledge to new beehive farmers. Before the project's roll-out, all farmers receive professional training for 2 to 3 months, and the project manager continues to actively monitor for their progress two years to ensure the level of knowledge is maintained. 

How does beehive investing work?

In short, you lend us money (€500 up to a maximum investment of €10,000) to distribute hives to trained Kenyan farmers. These beehives provide additional income to farmers and help restore biodiversity. The farmers do not receive these beehives as a gift but have to pay them back with the sales proceeds of the harvests. You will receive a return for 4 years, paid every quarter, after which the loan matures and we repay your loan. 

What does my investment consist of?

Each bond has a value of €500. By purchasing a bond, you lend us money to train farmers and produce, distribute, and service hives. We spend the €500 on the following:
  • Production, distribution and maintenance of hives 
    • 5 carpenters will work for two months to make 1,000 hives.
  • Beekeeper training & ambassador support for participating farmers 
    • During the project, each group of farmers will receive six training sessions to learn how to keep bees.
  • Harvesting, packaging and transportation 
    • Costs to ensure that honey can be produced and sold. These include protective suits and machines to extract honey from the combs.
  • Exchange rate premium euro to Kenyan shilling 
    • The cost of converting your euros to Kenyan shillings and absorbing any exchange rate differences between the time of your purchase and transfer to Kenya. 
The maximum investment is €10,000 and we charge an issue fee of €25 per investment.
 

What does my returns consist of?

You will receive the honey proceeds from the hives as returns. Your returns consist of the redemption of your loan and interest on the borrowed amount. The return calculation is based on two main factors: the number of kilos of honey, beeswax and propolis thatconsidering ecological factors and sustainable productionwe can harvest annually and the selling price of these products. Before we pay out your return, several costs are met. After deducting these costs, what remains per bond is an expected return of 8% per year paid quarterly. 


How can we help you?

At the core of our mission lies the preservation of nature and the fostering of biodiversity. DGB Group is actively working to restore nature. Join us in creating a greener future through impactful nature-based projects. Reach out to us to learn more about our work.