Inclusive beekeeping: investigating the barriers the slow women's participation on apiculture development in Kenya
Beekeeping is a potential activity for supplemental income and economic development, contributing towards improvement for livelihoods and food security. It is a practice which can promote natural resource and forestry conservation for biodiversity by pollinating important flora and crops in surrounding landscapes. As in many parts of the world, in Kenya, this practice has been predominantly controlled by men. Due to movements steering away from using traditional hives by incorporating modern adaptations, women are able to participate, making it more inclusive. Improved synchronous extension and advisory services within Kenya are needed to support rural beekeepers and the growing apiculture sector within the country. This capstone is focused on promoting inclusive beekeeping practices for women in Kenya. In addition, it seeks to identify barriers and challenges to women's participation within apiculture development through a literature review and field visits conducted over three weeks in Central and Eastern Kenya. Further, this capstone contributes to the literature on apiculture development, adding extension and training strategies for moving forward towards adoption and promotion of the participation of women in beekeeping in rural Kenya.