A five-day training course on the construction and repair of Kenyan beehives was held this week near Niokolo-Koba National Park (PNNK). The initiative, jointly led by ULB Coopération and the Tombo Conservation Program (PMC/Enda Énergie), brought together beekeepers from neighboring villages eager to strengthen their practices and contribute to environmental preservation.

Skills development for sustainable beekeeping

The session's objective was clear: to empower beekeepers to build and maintain their own hives adapted to local conditions. The Kenyan hive, widely praised for its robustness, low cost, and ease of construction, emerged as an ideal tool for sustainable beekeeping in this sensitive area.

According to Lassana Keïta, project manager at Enda Énergie, this technical approach is an essential step to strengthen the beekeeping sector in southeastern Senegal.

"The Kenyan beehive allows for more accessible, less expensive beekeeping that is better adapted to local resources. Our goal is for each participant to leave self-sufficient, able to build their own beehive without depending on an outside craftsman."

A clear enthusiasm among beekeepers

The participants unanimously praised the usefulness of this training, which offers them genuine autonomy in the face of everyday challenges.

Fatoumata Sy, a beekeeper in Dar Salam, recounts the immediate impact of this learning:

“Before, when my beehive was damaged, I sometimes had to wait weeks to find someone who could repair it. Now, I know how to do it myself. It’s a real relief and a new level of independence for us.”

For Aliou Baldé, a young beekeeper from Wassadou, this training represents much more than just technical learning:

"What impressed me most was the precision of the woodworking and the techniques used to protect the bees. I now feel capable of starting my own apiary with hives made by my own hands."

A partnership dedicated to the conservation of Niokolo-Koba

Beyond the skills transmitted, the organizers emphasize the importance of strengthening community involvement in the protection of Niokolo-Koba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and considered one of the last bastions of biodiversity in West Africa.

“Supporting local beekeeping helps reduce pressure on forest resources and offers viable economic alternatives,” insists Lassana Keïta.

For PMC/Enda Énergie, the strategy is clear: to involve local communities in conservation in order to make them sustainable allies.

“Every well-established beehive is a step forward towards a better balance between rural economy and environment. We will continue to support beekeepers so that they become true champions of conservation,” adds Mr. Keïta.

A dynamic that is expected to expand

At the close of these five intensive days, the beekeepers left with the hives they had built themselves, but more importantly, with enhanced expertise. Encouraged by the success of this first session, the organizers plan to extend it to other riverside villages and to establish ongoing support in order to measure its impact on production and the protection of the park.

This initiative thus marks an important step in building sustainable beekeeping, capable of supporting local families while strengthening the conservation of an exceptional natural heritage.