Developing a Beekeeping Model: A New Livelihood Direction for the Community of Ban Tat, Yen Hoa Commune, Nghe An Province

Livelihood development linked with sustainable forest protection is one of the key objectives of Yen Hoa Commune’s poverty reduction strategy. Just over one week after bee colonies were handed over under the INKOTA project, 22 households in Ban Tat quickly began adapting to the honey beekeeping model, opening up a promising new direction for household economies in this upland area.

Ban Tat, with the distinctive conditions of a mountainous area in Nghe An Province, is surrounded by vast natural forests with diverse ecosystems. This is the “treasure” that the INKOTA project and CORENACCA Center carefully assessed before deciding to invest in livelihood support for local people.

Ms. Tran Thi Sen, Head of the Economic Division of Yen Hoa Commune, explained: “Ban Tat not only has a large forest area, but also abundant chestnut blossoms, acacia blossoms, and various valuable wildflowers that bloom throughout the year. The clean climate and low level of pollution provide ideal conditions for honey bees to thrive naturally, producing honey with a high concentration and a distinctive flavor rarely found elsewhere.”

In fact, generations of traditional experience in forest-based wild honey collection have demonstrated that food sources for bees in Ban Tat are extremely abundant. However, shifting from destructive harvesting in the wild to sustainable beekeeping is the “key” to helping local people escape poverty while maintaining the green forests. One of the greatest advantages of beekeeping is its strong suitability for labor conditions in mountainous areas. According to assessments by the commune’s technical staff, beekeeping does not require a large production area or heavy physical labor.

“This is a livelihood model suitable for every household. From older people with experience to those with limited physical strength, everyone can participate. By mastering basic techniques for bee care, colony management, and hive hygiene, local people can have a ‘honey-producing factory’ right in their own gardens,” Ms. Tran Thi Sen added, emphasizing the advantages of the model.

Technical staff directly inspect the quality of bee colonies before handing them over to local households.

Under the project, 22 poor, near-poor, and recently escaped-poverty households in Ban Tat were provided with the essential “fishing rod” — the means to begin a new livelihood journey. The materials handed over included:

Bee colonies: Each household received five standard bee colonies that had been carefully selected for health and adaptability.

Specialized supplies: Including sugar, wax foundation sheets, feeders, grafting needles, and other materials to support a scientifically managed beekeeping process.

Protective and technical equipment: Bee smokers and protective clothing help local people work safely, while specialized honey extractors help ensure that the harvested honey meets hygiene standards.

Implementing the beekeeping model in Tat Village goes beyond merely providing breeding stock and supplies; it is a key component of Yen Hoa Commune’s long-term strategy to build a brand for its indigenous agricultural products. By combining the community’s traditional knowledge with modern beekeeping techniques introduced by the INKOTA project, the commune aims to standardize honey quality. This serves as a foundation for obtaining OCOP (One Commune, One Product) certification and enhancing market value. Furthermore, as individual households transform into economic agents deriving their livelihood from the forest, they will become its most dedicated guardians, thereby protecting the very resource that sustains both their bee colonies and their families.

The project is breathing new life into Tat Village. The sweet honey harvests that lie ahead promise not only increased income but also a reinforced belief in a path toward sustainable economic development—one rooted in the power of solidarity and the value of local identity.

Thanh Ngoc and Tran Thuong – Yen Hoa Commune Officer