Ukambani Farmers Embrace Beekeeping Amid Climate Change Challenges in Agriculture

In the Ukambani region, numerous smallholder farmers are shifting from traditional crop and livestock farming to climate-smart beekeeping as a response to the adverse impacts of climate change. Farmers in Machakos, Kitui, and Makueni counties report that persistent droughts and erratic rainfall have rendered conventional agriculture unreliable, prompting many to adopt apiculture for a more stable income. Beekeeping, unlike staple crops such as maize and beans, requires minimal rainfall and can flourish during dry spells, with bees naturally foraging for nectar and pollen, thus lowering the need for costly feed and labor.