Faith Ndou
MASVINGO-Zimbabwe Trade Development and Promotion Organisation (ZimTrade) in partnership with Expertise France has launched the ZimBee Project in Chikomba, Nyanyadzi and Lupane.
The initiative marks a significant step towards transforming Zimbabwe’s honey sector through inclusive and sustainable development.
Launched on the 11th of March 2025, ZimTrade has already conducted consultations and begun implementation in the three districts with plans to decentralise to other provinces over time.
Speaking during the ZimBee Gender Strategy Validation Workshop held on Monday at Urban Lifestyle Hotel, ZimTrade Eastern Region Regional Manager Admire Jongwe said the initiative envisions a transformed honey sector which is inclusive.
“The project implemented in Chikomba, Lupane and Nyanyadzi envisions a transformed honey sector where all actors across genders and generations actively contribute and benefit,” said Jongwe.
Quoting renowned scientist Albert Einstein, Jongwe underscored the ecological importance of bees.
“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left,” he said, adding that the statement highlights the critical role bees and their products play in sustaining ecosystems, food systems and human wellbeing.
Jongwe noted that the ZimBee vision is anchored on the belief that the wisdom of elders, the innovation of youth and the leadership of both women and men can collectively build a resilient and thriving honey producing network.
“We are working towards building Zimbabwe’s honey future through inclusive economic empowerment anchored in inclusive social interdependence, small enterprise development and innovation,” he said.
He added that the project goes beyond honey production.
“It is about building an industry that sustains livelihoods, strengthens social bonds, uplifts women and youth voices and positions Zimbabwean honey as a model of equitable, community-driven development.”
In Chikomba District, beneficiaries have already begun to see the impact of the initiative.
Mavis Chigogo, a member of Mari Cluster from the district said her group is among the first to benefit from the ZimBee Project.
“We are the first people to benefit from the ZimBee project. They introduced us to beekeeping procedures and how we can sustain them in life,” she said.
She explained that ZimTrade provided the group with more than 200 beehives and assisted them in securing land for the project through Chief Neshangwe. The team also helped fence the apiary site to protect the hives.
“The ZimBee project team educated us on what we can do so that the bees can come inside the hives including the type of flowers and trees to plant around the area,” said Chigogo.
Out of the hives provided, 12 have already started producing honey with the group expecting more production in the coming months.
“We are working hard and wish that we can produce honey that we will export and get foreign currency,” she said.
Bee keeping was previously unfamiliar in the area but the initiative has sparked widespread interest. The Mari Cluster comprises 52 members including youths.
“The group is inclusive to every gender. Everyone in the area has welcomed the initiative.”
For a seasoned beekeeper Moses Chimedza of Chimani Delights who has been in the industry since 2012, the ZimBee Project is a game changer.
Chimedza highlighted key project activities, including capacity building workshops on modern and climate smart beekeeping, training in safety, health and hygiene and the promotion of modern hives such as the Kenyan Top Bar.
He highlighted that Beekeeping has made him travel to International learning tours and participation in global platforms such as the Apimondia 2025 Congress in Denmark.
Chimedza said the initiative is helping beekeeping clusters to self govern and create functional structures to manage their affairs at group or cluster level.
“It promotes the participation of women, youth and men in beekeeping and encourages the use of modern beekeeping equipment,” he said.
Through networking opportunities, local beekeepers are being connected with others across Zimbabwe as well as key stakeholders and markets.
“What ZimBee means is that it opens a new horizon in beekeeping, honey production and the entire honey value chain,” he said.
He added that the project ensures that local honey and its derivatives are market ready and can be sold locally, regionally or internationally.
“It has enabled our operations to be linked to other markets and like-minded stakeholders. Beekeeping is no longer just a preserve of men and boys but involves women and youth as well,” said Chimedza.
As the ZimBee Project gathers momentum in Chikomba, Nyanyadzi and Lupane, it is steadily laying the foundation for an inclusive, market oriented and climate smart honey industry that could position Zimbabwe as a competitive player in the global honey market.
