Njombe. Ludewa District Commissioner Victoria Mwaziva has initiated the provision of modern beekeeping skills to women, aimed at fostering economic transformation and improving livelihoods.
Ms Mwaziva issued the directive on June 20 when launching a community involvement project in forest and water conservation in the district.
The project was funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
She expressed her desire to see substantial funds and efforts invested in such projects aimed at empowering women economically.
"We need to see these funds working and directly benefiting the community. I would like to participate with you to observe how this project is being implemented," she said.
Furthermore, she expressed her expectation to see the beneficiary women supported in developing provided beehives transform their lives.
She thanked UNDP for funding the project to be implemented in the district.
The Ludewa District Executive Director (DED), Mr Sunday Deogratius, emphasised the importance of educating citizens on environmental conservation and discouraging malicious destruction of forests.
He noted that, heading to farming preparations, citizens have been indiscriminately setting bushfires, leading to environmental degradation in the district.
"Ludewa District has been leading in setting bushfires despite numerous convened meetings to address these issues," he said.
Mlangali Development Association (MLADEA) project coordinator, Magway Baran, said over 100 women group members will receive bee hives and receive the appropriate training in modern beekeeping.
He said a total of Sh123 million would be used for the project implementation in three wards, including Lugarawa, Lubonde, and Mlangali, which have been severely affected by environmental degradation.
"The project will take twenty months and will be implemented in three phases, starting from June 2024 to May 2026," said Baran.
A Ludewa resident, Elmerinde Mwalongo, said the project has come at an opportune time because many women are facing economic hardships; hence, beekeeping will help them earn income and support their families.
"Most of the women have children to educate, so having bee hives and modern beekeeping skills will enable them to produce honey for sale and earn money to sustain their livelihoods," said Mwalongo.
