From Migrant Laborer to Beekeeper: Rural Safety Net Beneficiary Rebuilds his Home through Livelihood Earnings

In Bullesa kebele, 10 kilometers from the town of Kifle started his modern beehive operation four years ago.

Aleta Wondo in the Sidama region, Kifle Kirba is hard at work.

Dressed in his white beekeeping outfit and mask, he props open the door of a roughly constructed, open shed a few meters from his house. Under the shed are twelve modern beehives.

“Last year, I yielded about 140 kilograms of red honey—I can sell 1 kilo for ETB 400,” he said. “I have regular customers who purchase from me, and more people are coming as word spreads. The honey I produce is pure and high quality.”

Sidama region is one of Ethiopia’s most densely populated areas, and most farmers have landholdings the size of less than half a hectare. In Kifle’s case, five other households share the small plot of land on which he lives, so farming was never an option. However, despite his lack of land, Kifle now earns income by supplying honey to several merchants in Aleta Wondo.

Kifle started his modern beehive operation four years ago. Before that, he could barely make ends meet. To support his family, Kifle tried to earn income as a migrant worker. “I used to travel to other places to search for work, whatever I could get.”

Things worsened when his home at the time, constructed in the traditional Sidama method using straw and mud, collapsed. He did not have the resources to rebuild it.

Bullessa kebele’s officials, seeing the difficulty he was experiencing, recommended that he join the PSNP.

The PSNP is a cash and food transfer program that targets extremely poor households. Participating beneficiary households join the PSNP through a community targeting process that takes place every five years. Once selected, PSNP households with able-bodied labor participate in public works activities for six months a year in exchange for cash or food transfers (those without able-bodied labor are entitled to receive transfers for 12 months a year without public works participation).

Kifle joined the safety net as a public works beneficiary. In addition to public works, Kifle was also selected to receive complementary livelihood services.

PSNP’s livelihoods services aim to enhance the household income of public works beneficiary households. Those selected receive a grant or loan of USD300 and training on financial literacy and business planning. After this, livelihood beneficiaries can choose a livelihood activity to focus on. For Kifle, the choice was straightforward.

“My great-grandfather used to keep traditional beehives, so I was exposed to the beekeeping practice from a young age. In the past, I even kept two traditional beehives. However, through the safety net program, the kebele’s livelihood experts trained me on modern beekeeping practices and gave me knowledge. They provided a model beehive, which I then used to make my own.”

“Soon, I began getting honey and money. I have reached the stage where I am by following their advice, working with honey, and selling bees.”

Kifle continues: “I’ve received many benefits [from the safety net. Through the livelihoods program] I’ve earned money; I’ve saved money. We worked according to a five year business plan, and I’ve earned a considerable sum of money; I built a house with the money I earned,” he says, pointing to a well-constructed modern Sidama house. “I did not have a house of this kind in the past.”

“I’ve built a home where my children can rest.”