For generations, the rolling hills of Mgahinga sub-county in Kisoro were a place of immense beauty but uncertain futures. For smallholder farmers like Grace Mbabazi, a mother of four, life was dictated by the unpredictable returns of seasonal crops. “Some seasons, the rain was good, and we had enough to eat and maybe a little extra for school fees,” Grace recalls. “Other times, the harvest would fail, and we would struggle. There was no stability, no way to plan for tomorrow.”
This is a story we at Green Cane Innovations Limited (GCIL) have heard many times. It’s the story that drives our mission. In 2023, our apiculture team arrived in Mgahinga not just with equipment, but with a promise of partnership. We introduced modern, high-yield Langstroth beehives and a comprehensive training program covering everything from apiary management and colony health to sustainable harvesting techniques. Grace was one of the first to join. Initially hesitant, her curiosity turned into passion as she learned about the vital role bees play in the ecosystem and the economic potential of pure, organic honey. “GCIL didn’t just give us hives; they gave us knowledge,” says Grace, her face lighting up. “They taught us to see bees not as something to fear, but as partners in our prosperity. We learned how to care for them, and in return, they are now caring for our families.” The results have been transformative.
In her first year, Grace harvested over 80 kilograms of premium honey. Through our guaranteed offtake agreement, GCIL purchased her entire harvest for our ECOHIVE brand, providing her with a direct, stable income far exceeding what her traditional crops could offer. Today, Grace has paid off all her children’s school fees for the year. She has invested in a small water tank for her home and is now a mentor, training other women in her village to start their own beekeeping enterprises. The hum of bees in Mgahinga has become the sound of empowerment. Grace’s story is not an isolated one.
It is the story of an entire community turning to nature-based solutions to build climate-resilient livelihoods. By protecting pollinators, these farmers are not only boosting their own incomes but also contributing to the regeneration of the local ecosystem.
This is the heart of our work: innovating with nature to connect communities to sustainable markets. The transformation in Mgahinga is a living testament to the power of a single beehive to change a family’s future.
Interested in supporting our work? Learn how you can [Sponsor a Hive] for another community today.
