Finote Selam town, Jabitanan Woreda, Amhara province, Ethiopia

Yedget Chora[1] Cooperative was established in 2008 with the support of the IDE UK/SOS Sahel Ethiopioa project. The cooperative has 644 members currently.

2008–09 season results

In the 2008 season the cooperative collected 3.55 metric tons (MT) of honey from their members which resulted in 2.915 MT of processed honey which was all sold at 28 Birr / kg.

2009-10 season results

1.545 MT honey was purchased from the cooperative members in the 2009 season (still ongoing).  So far 950 kg has been processed and 350 kg sold at 36 Birr / kg.   Due to poor rains, an unusual frost and very heavy rain fall in 2009 the honey yield was not so good in 2009.

The net profit made during the 2008-09 season was 3173 Birr.

Their current target is to reach an annual figure of 20MT.

The price they are paying to farmers has increased.  They are currently paying farmers 24-26 Birr/kg for unprocessed honey and selling at 36-38 Birr.

Arma Beekeepers Cooperative,  Armachoho District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia 25^th February 2010

Adane and his mother Tadegu have been keeping bees for five years.  Adane has 3 children aged 12, 8 and 5.  They started with two hives, but since joining the cooperative they have increased the number of hives to 28 in total, with a mixture of box hives, Kenyan top bar hives and traditional hives.

Before they joined the cooperative they would get between 10 and 15 Birr per kilo of honey (£0.50 – £0.75) to traders in the market but they are now selling to the cooperative at a price of 25 Birr per kilo (£1.25).   Before joining the co-op they produced about 50-60kg a year, they are now producing 100kg.    Coming together as a cooperative has enabled Adane and Tadegu to increase their annual income by at least £80 or $120.

With the increased income Adane and Tadegu have constructed a corrugated iron roof on their house and have purchased cattle, including breeds of cattle that produce more milk – up to 5 litres a day which they use mainly for household consumption.