LocationsThe UN Development Programme handed over 30 beehives to residents of four districts of Karakalpakstan
Beekeeping as a tool to support vulnerable communities in remote districts of the Aral Sea region
May 21, 2022
UNDP Uzbekistan
On May 12, 2022, United Nations Development Programme organized a handover ceremony in the Nukus district of Karakalpakstan to transfer the necessary equipment for the development of beekeeping within the two Joint Programmes implemented in partnership with the UN agencies – UNFPA and FAO in Aral Sea region.
UNDP Uzbekistan
In February this year, the Joint UNDP and UNFPA Programme ‘Building the resilience of local communities against health, environmental and economic insecurities caused by environmental destruction in the Aral Sea region’, funded by the Government of Japan, announced a competition for innovative business projects. Among the winning projects, the selection committee approved for co–financing two business plans aimed at the development of beekeeping in the Bozatau and Karauzyak districts.
Meanwhile, another Joint Programme of UNDP, UNFPA and FAO “Unleashing young people’s and vulnerable citizens’ creativity and innovation by strengthening their adaptive capacity to address the economic and food insecurities in the exposed communities of the Aral Sea region” funded by the UN Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea region in Uzbekistan, studied and selected 35 households from the list of unemployed young people and women, included in the "iron" notebook in order to support vulnerable groups of the population through the assistance in self-employment and the promotion of innovative technologies at the household level. As a result of this activity, two representatives of Muynak and Kungrad districts received assistance for the development of beekeeping.
UNDP Uzbekistan
For the Aral Sea region, beekeeping is not just a way to get sustainable income, but also a contribution to improving the environment, access to an environmentally friendly and healthy product, an opportunity to diversify the activities of farmers and entrepreneurs in the future. More precisely, in his work, the beekeeper, in addition to honey, receives wax, propolis, and if lucky enough, there is an opportunity to establish sales of bee venom, which can be essential for the pharmaceutical industry.
UNDP Uzbekistan
To participate in the handover ceremony and receive the inventory all four beekeeper farmers arrived in the Nukus district – two women and two men whose lives will not be the same. After the official event, our experienced beekeeper Bakhtiyar Dzhubayev conducted a master class for future beekeepers. The expert shared his knowledge, explained the ways to ensure business growth, as well as essentials in building contact with customers and the features of hive care. Last year in May 2021, 8 beekeepers from the Bozatau, Karauzyak and Chimbay districts also received support and were trained in the format of master classes.
UNDP Uzbekistan
UNDP continues to support local entrepreneurial initiatives in pilot districts. The focus is on building the capacity of young farmers and entrepreneurs to develop agriculture, manufacturing and service delivery, which is to improve the economic well-being of vulnerable communities.
