Thirty farmers in the Nuba Mountains have been trained in sustainable bee-keeping practices.  Previously the farmers were using the traditional method of trapping swarming bees and setting fire to hives in order to extract the honey from tree trunks, rocks, or anthills.  This method caused a decline in the quantity of wild bee colonies in the area and negatively affected precious forest resources.

Climate change and desertification is an ongoing concern in Sudan.  The Nuba Mountains are dry for much of the year and ground-water levels have been dropping, leaving some areas with dry wells and threatening forestry and other natural resources, a principal source of rivalry and conflict in Sudan.  FAR is working with communities to find forest friendly alternatives to activities that damage the environment.  FAR has also been planting trees to replenish lost wood resources and building sub-surface dams to improve the groundwater level.  

FAR’s week-long training course taught participants to care for bees and to collect their honey sustainably, which will provide income for the families and high-quality honey products for their communities, all without compromising the environment.     

The course covered both technical and theoretical material including the history of the honeybee and life in its colony, caring for the health of bees, plant varieties that support honey production, and appropriate methods for harvesting, processing, storing, marketing, and selling honey.  Each participant received basic bee-keeping equipment so they can start environmentally-friendly honey production in their communities.

FAR hopes to be able to extend bee-keeping and honey-making to other parts of Sudan, especially to nomadic communities who can easily transport beehives as they move with their families and cattle in search of grazing land.