Beekeeping at the Heart of Mangrove Revival in Haiti
Updated: 4 days ago
Innovative initiatives are needed to strengthen the resilience of local communities in Haiti. Haitian Association for Agricultural, Medical, Educational, and Social Assistance (AHAAMES), in collaboration with the NGO Malteser International Americas, launched the Climate Protection and Adaptation through Mangrove Restoration Project in 2021 to restore the vulnerable coastlines of the Nippes department while supporting local communities with sustainable solutions for their future.
This ambitious project encompasses various activities, such as strengthening the fishing sector, reforesting coastal mangrove forests, and beekeeping. Among these initiatives, beekeeping stands out for its sustainable impact. Inhabitants of local communities, notably in Saint Cyr et Lendor, Rivière Salée, and Duplessis, are trained in the art of beekeeping. By helping locals build and install new apiaries (collections of beehives), this program generates a stable income for local families who can go on to sell their bees’ honey each year. Bees play a crucial role in coastal ecosystems by pollinating plants, including mangroves. By promoting the regeneration of mangroves, they contribute directly to the preservation of biodiversity and the ecological restoration of coastal regions.
Kenel Sanosier, one of the participants of the beekeeping project, started out as a novice. However, thanks to the training provided by our local partner, AHAAMES, Kenel has become a true expert in the field of apiculture. He devotes himself wholeheartedly to the upkeep of his apiary, taking the initiative to repair or replace any part of the hives or to eliminate harmful insects. His apiary, located in Saint Cyr, is today a powerful lever for transforming the environment. Starting out with 15 hives, his is the only apiary to have grown to 24. Kenel proudly observes the positive changes taking place all around him. “Thanks to this project, I’ve been able to make enough money to pay for my children’s schooling, and the people in my community are benefiting from the restoration of the mangroves. In the past, the winds destroyed our crops during cyclones, jeopardizing our livelihoods, but things have greatly improved with the restoration of the mangroves. The fishermen are also seeing an increase in the number of fish,” says Kenel, with a big smile on his face.
Beekeeper Kenel Sanosier
This project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), was completed in December 2024. By that time, we had supported 7,185 households, provided sustainable solutions, and strengthened communities’ resilience to climate challenges. Thanks to these initiatives, residents are seeing their futures transform, with more stable livelihoods and a revitalized natural environment for themselves and their families.
Words by Darlou Alexandre, Comm. Officer AHAAMES
Comments