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By Thokozani Mazibuko
In a disappointing turn of events, bee farmers find themselves in a precarious situation with an excess of honey and nowhere to sell it. The farmers had responded to the call from the Ministry of Agriculture, who had assured them of a stable market for their honey products.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story—one of broken promises and dashed hopes.
Speaking to the Eswatini Financial Times (EFT), several bee farmers shared their frustration and disappointment at the situation.
“We invested our time, money, and efforts into expanding our honey production, believing the Ministry’s assurances of a ready market. Now, we find ourselves with surplus honey and no buyers in sight,” lamented one farmer, who chose to remain anonymous.
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The bee farmers revealed that they had significantly increased their honey cultivation following the Ministry’s promises of a lucrative market opportunity. However, to their dismay, their hard work seems to have gone to waste as the anticipated buyers failed to materialize.
This unforeseen turn of events has left many bee farmers in a state of uncertainty, unsure of how to offload their excess honey and recoup their investments.
The Ministry of Agriculture has yet to respond to the bee farmers’ plight, raising questions about the reliability of the assurances given to them.
With the bee farmers facing mounting losses and a surplus of honey that they cannot sell, urgent intervention is needed to address this crisis and support the agricultural community in Eswatini.
It should be noted that as the bee farmers grapple with the consequences of unmet promises, there is a pressing need for concrete actions to be taken to resolve the situation and ensure that such disappointments do not recur in the future.
“Our livelihoods as farmers hang in the balance, it is important to deliver on commitments made to support us as farmers,” said another farmer who preferred to remain anonymous.
Farmers should form an association for market assistance
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Sydney Simelane, has highlighted the importance of bee farmers forming an association to streamline the process of finding markets for their honey.
This call to action comes as a response to the current delays faced by bee farmers in accessing market channels for their produce.
According to Simelane, the establishment of an organized bee farmers’ association would not only facilitate easier market access but also enable the Ministry to provide necessary assistance in terms of quality checks and approvals required before honey can be brought to the market.
“It is crucial that bee farmers come together to form an association. This will not only benefit them in terms of accessing markets more efficiently but also ensure that their honey meets the standards set by relevant entities,” stated Simelane.
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Furthermore, Simelane urged bee farmers who have already produced honey to reach out to the Ministry for support and guidance. By collaborating with the Ministry, bee farmers can receive the necessary assistance to navigate the processes involved in getting their honey approved for market sale.
“The Ministry of Agriculture is dedicated to continuing its support for bee farmers and emphasizes the importance of collective action in improving the honey industry.
The farmers are encouraged to heed this call to form an association for mutual benefit and increased market opportunities,” assured the PS.
