Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-28 11:59:29
Beekeepers in Kenya are shifting away from traditional honey harvesting and instead focusing on tapping into the growing market for bee venom, which is gaining popularity in alternative medicine. This new approach is revolutionizing the industry and providing a sustainable source of income for local beekeepers.
Using specialized bee venom collectors, beekeepers like Hamza Shabir are able to stimulate bees to excrete venom without causing them harm. This innovative method ensures the survival of the bees while also meeting the increasing demand for apitoxin, commonly known as bee venom. However, the extraction process is intricate and time-consuming, as each bee only contains a few milligrams of venom.
Ezekiel Mumo, another beekeeper, highlights the potential of bee venom farming by stating that “Bee venom guarantees you daily income because you can harvest it every day as compared to other bee products, like conventional honey, which you have to wait for four months to harvest.” The local market values a gram of bee venom at $30, while the international market sees prices soar to $100, emphasizing the economic potential for Kenyan beekeepers.
The rise of bee venom in alternative medicine has also caught the attention of practitioners known as apitherapists, who are increasingly incorporating bee venom into treatments. Patients seeking relief from various ailments are reporting positive outcomes. Apitherapist Stephen Kimani, trained in Romania, explains that bee venom triggers the production of beneficial antibodies in the body, drawing from ancient Chinese practices to target specific conditions.
Despite the positive reception of apitherapy in Kenya, there is currently no specific regulation for the practice. However, precautions, including allergy tests, are taken to minimize potential adverse reactions.
The rise of the bee venom industry in Kenya highlights a harmonious balance between economic opportunity and ecological responsibility, as sustainable practices are employed to meet the surging demand for this unconventional yet valuable resource.
