Published newsletter
Article Details
Strategies for ensuring that smart beekeeping technology moves beyond the laboratory and into real-world use by farmers took centre stage during a recent stakeholder discussion, with practical insights shared by Mr. Aaron Bomujuni, a Programme’s Officer at TUNADO.
Responding to concerns about how farmers can be encouraged to adopt hive-monitoring technology for sustainable agriculture, Aaron emphasised that affordability must come first. He noted that between 70 and 80 per cent of beekeepers in Uganda are low-income earners who rely on traditional hives due to cost limitations. While modern hives such as the Kenya Top-Bar Hive (KTB) perform better, their price places them out of reach for most farmers. Introducing additional digital monitoring equipment, he warned, could further increase costs unless financing options and subsidies are explored.
He also highlighted a major digital literacy gap, explaining that a significant proportion of beekeepers, particularly in rural areas, do not use smartphones or have limited formal education. For this reason, he stressed that technology adoption must go hand in hand with awareness creation, demonstrations and hands-on training. Many farmers, he said, only trust what they can physically see working. Establishing demonstration sites in different regions would help build confidence and stimulate uptake.
Aaron further pointed out the value of real-time data generated by smart monitoring systems. Currently, many farmers visit their apiaries only once a week - or even once a month - due to distance and other commitments. With digital monitoring, beekeepers could track hive conditions remotely, improving decision-making and productivity, especially for urban-based farmers managing apiaries in distant rural locations.
On partnerships, Aaron proposed working closely with district extension workers and trained apiary masters already embedded in farming communities. These technicians could play a key role in training farmers, supporting installation and creating awareness at grassroots level. Strengthening collaboration with experienced practitioners already running model apiaries was also encouraged.
He also underscored the importance of policy support and standardisation. For widespread adoption to take place, he said, farmers need to see government recognition and endorsement of the technology. Integrating smart hive monitoring into official agricultural extension services would significantly boost credibility and demand.
In closing, Aaron noted that trusted practitioners must be equipped to champion the technology. When farmers seek advice, the people they trust most should be confident in saying the technology works and has been tested. With the right mix of affordability, training, partnerships and policy backing, he said, smart beekeeping technology could soon become a practical tool for transforming Uganda’s apiculture sector.