Utilize your idle land and increase income through contractual bee venom farming
Bee venom, often referred to as apitoxin, is a powerful substance of honeybees.
Bee venom is the most valuable bee product more valuable than royal jelly that retails at about kshs 42,000 per kg,propolis that goes for about kshs 2,000 per kg and even bee pollen that retails for about kshs 8,500.
Although it’s known for its role in defensive mechanisms, this venom holds untapped potential that extends beyond the hive.
Bee venom is in high demand across the world for its medical and therapeutic applications, including pain relief, skincare, and immune system stimulation.
However, despite Kenya’s rich biodiversity and favorable climate for beekeeping, a significant portion of the bee venom available in the market is imported, making it an expensive and rare product.
Redefining Beekeeping in Kenya
Kenyan farmers are in a prime position to transform the beekeeping landscape by embracing bee venom farming.
Bee venom collection involves placing special collectors at the hive entrance, stimulating bees to release venom without causing harm.
This process can be integrated seamlessly into existing honeybee farming practices, enhancing the overall value of beekeeping ventures.
For farmers with idle land or limited resources, bee venom farming offers an economically viable option that requires minimal investment while maximizing returns.
Honey and Beyond: A Dual Benefit
While the allure of bee venom farming is significant, the advantages don’t end there. Honey production, a staple of beekeeping, holds immense potential for Kenya’s self-reliance.
Currently, the country imports around 80% of its honey, leaving only 20% sourced locally.
With the global demand for honey soaring, local farmers can tap into this demand by expanding their honey production.
By simultaneously pursuing both honey and bee venom farming, Kenyan beekeepers can diversify their income streams and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
Seizing the Opportunity with bee venom
As the market for bee venom continues to grow, the potential profits are striking. The world market, a gram of bee venom goes for around 30,000 Kenyan Shillings.
This premium valuation reflects the rarity potential of bee venom, creating a lucrative venture for farmers to explore.
By collaborating with experts like Savannah Honey, adopting modern techniques, and integrating sustainable practices, Kenyan farmers can not only meet local demand but also position themselves as exporters of this precious resource.
According to Savannah Honey, a Kenyan company involved in bee keeping and sales of bee keeping equipment’s within East Africa, it takes about 45 minutes to extract one or two grams of venom.
Each bee contains only a few milligrams of venom. We need at least 3 colonies of bees to extract one gram of venom.
Each colony comprises hundreds of bees including a single queen, hundreds of male bees and 20,000 to 60,000 worker bees.
Composition of Bee Venom in Kenya
Bee venom is like a secret recipe crafted by bees. It’s a mix of special things that work together in amazing ways.
- Melittin: This is like the boss of the venom. It helps with pain and swelling when you get stung by a bee. It’s also good for calming down inflammation.
- Apamin: This one talks to your brain and helps with things like making you feel better and less anxious.
- Mast Cell Degranulating Peptide: This fancy name means it tells your body to release stuff like histamine, which can make you itch or feel funny after a sting.
- Phospholipase A2: Think of this as a superhero that breaks down walls. It helps the venom spread in your body and gets your immune system ready to fight.
- Hyaluronidase: This helper makes sure the venom goes where it needs to by breaking down stuff that gets in the way.
- Adolapin: This one is like a painkiller. It helps you feel better if you’re hurt.
- Histamine and Dopamine: These are like little messengers that tell your body how to feel. They can make you feel itchy or sore after a sting.
How to start bee venom farming or business in Kenya
- Bee venom farming is one of the most profitable farming businesses although it is highly profitable but difficult business.
- Savannah Honey has bee contracting farmers to undertake bee venom farming in 6 Countries in Africa for the last 7 years. Savannah Honey offers free installation, free technical support, the venom collectors for collecting the venom from the bees at affordable rates and market for the bee venom at kshs 4,000 per gram.
- Savannah Honey is currently the only producer of bee venom honey in Kenya. Bee venom honey is widely imported for treatment of various health issues.
Uses Of Bee Venom
- Anti-inflammatory: Bee venom can reduce inflammation by suppressing the production of inflammatory molecules. This makes it a potential treatment for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic pain.
- Analgesic: Bee venom can also relieve pain by blocking the transmission of pain signals to the brain. This makes it a potential treatment for chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia and migraine headaches.
- Immunomodulatory: Bee venom can modulate the immune system, making it a potential treatment for autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis.
- Neural protective: Bee venom can protect nerve cells from damage, making it a potential treatment for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
- Anticancer: Bee venom has been shown to have anticancer properties in some studies, but more research is needed to confirm this effect.
- Wound healing: Bee venom can promote wound healing by stimulating the production of new blood vessels and collagen.
A Call to Action
The time is ripe for Kenyans to dive into the world of bee venom farming. With a perfect storm of idle land, ideal climate, and surging global demand, this industry represents a golden opportunity to uplift local communities.
By tapping into the unexploited potential of bee venom, farmers can not only boost their own income but also contribute to Kenya’s journey towards self-sufficiency in honey production.
As Kenya envisions a future where its agricultural prowess reaches new heights, bee venom farming stands out as a shining example of innovation and sustainable growth.
Let’s embark on this journey together, hand in hand with nature, and make the sweet sound of buzzing bees resonate with the promise of a better tomorrow.
Savannah Honey will work with you through a 5 years contract to ensure that you succeed in bee farming.
You can contact Savannah honey through; 0724052975, email;[email protected]
