After the restoration of Sanza and Ibanda-Makera forests and their buffer areas, the government has designated the ecosystems for beekeeping to increase honey production.

Rwanda's annual honey production reached 7,000 tonnes at the end of 2023/2024 fiscal year. The government targets 10,000 tonnes by 2029.

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Allocating state forests to beekeeping projects is one of the strategies to boost honey production.

Ibanda-Makera is a 169-hectare natural gallery forest in Kirehe District in Eastern Province, which has savanna trees, swamps, and large trees watered by the Makera stream.

Sanza is a relict forest located in Ngororero District in Western Province. Until its restoration, the forest was among three natural ecosystems, that had been classified as "collapsed,” the two others being Ndoha forest and Mashyuza forest.

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The rehabilitation of Sanza and Ibanda-Makera forests exemplifies how ecosystem restoration can uplift communities according to Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

These forests were restored by REMA through the Building Resilience of Communities Living in Degraded Forests, Savannahs, and Wetlands project using an ecosystem-based adaptation approach.

"In addition to supporting beekeeping, the project addressed climate change challenges, particularly in the drought-prone Eastern Province. The restoration of Sanza and Ibanda-Makera forests has led to improved biodiversity, soil conservation, and water regulation. These ecosystem services not only support [the sources of] livelihoods like beekeeping but also play a crucial role in mitigating climate change impacts," REMA said in a statement.

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Beekeepers with beehives in the Sanza and Ibanda-Makera forests were upbeat after these ecosystems were restored, with revitalized vegetation, and ideal conditions for bees to forage.

The beekeepers said honey production has begun to increase, providing them with a more reliable source of income.

"With more flowers and a better habitat for our bees, honey production has increased significantly," said Jean Baptiste Ngirinshuti, the president of Itezimbere Muvumvu Cooperative operating Sanza Forest.

Ngirinshuti said the cooperative used to harvest 10-15kg per beehive and the yield has increased to 30kg per hive.

"The forest benefits us by providing a place for our bees to gather nectar and pollen. When the forest was being cut down, our bees had nowhere to forage, and the yields were very small. But now, with the forest protected, our bees have a good yield and security, which we find very beneficial,” said Gorette Bahirumwe, a member of the cooperative.

For Marina Babonampoze, who has 10 beehives in Ibanda-Makera forest, beekeeping is becoming more professional as incomes increase, attracting women like her in the activity.

"Beekeeping was traditionally considered a male activity, but the income it generates today has encouraged more women to participate more actively," Babonampoze said.

The REMA project supported beekeepers with training in modern beekeeping methods and provided modern beehives, enabling them to increase production.

The flourishing beekeeping activities highlight the direct link between healthy ecosystems and sustainable livelihoods.

The government had targeted to reach more than 8,600 tonnes of annual honey production by June 2024, but challenges disrupted some of the efforts taken in that regard, according to officials.

Solange Uwituze, the Deputy Director-General in charge of animal resources research and technology transfer at Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), said that achieving the previous target was challenging due to issues such as habitat loss caused by urbanization and monoculture, which limited the foraging options for bees.

Uwituze said efforts to restore bee habitats were underway, with different projects targeting biodiversity conservation to create pollinator-friendly environments.

She said that under the five-year Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation, which runs until 2029, the government aims to address the current challenges in order to meet the targeted 10,000 tonnes in honey production.