The Embassy of Israel in Kenya is promoting knowledge exchange and technology transfer to strengthen Kenya’s beekeeping industry, with commercial pollination emerging as a key opportunity for improving agricultural productivity. The initiative was highlighted during the Beekeeping and Pollination Seminar held on November 9, 2026, in Karen, Nairobi. Israel’s Deputy Ambassador, Ariel Arviv, and Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary in the State Department for Livestock Development, joined trainers, beekeepers and other stakeholders for the event.
Through MASHAV, Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation, the initiative seeks to share expertise and innovations that can support Kenya’s apiculture sector, particularly in beekeeping management and pollination.
Regina Ciira, Head of Apiculture in the State Department for Livestock Development, said Kenya currently has approximately 1.8 million beehives and produced 20,604 metric tonnes of honey in 2025, against domestic demand of 43,500 tonnes. This means local production meets about 48 per cent of the country’s requirements. She attributed the growing interest in beekeeping partly to increased participation following the COVID-19 pandemic, but identified poor hive management, declining bee forage, deforestation and pesticide misuse as major challenges. Ciira emphasised that bees should not be valued for honey alone, highlighting their contribution to crop pollination, biodiversity and food security. She also called for greater awareness among farmers on the safe use of pesticides, particularly when crops are flowering and bees are actively foraging.
Learning from Israel’s commercial pollination model
Ernest Simeon, a commercial beekeeper with 31 years of experience, said one of the biggest lessons Kenya could draw from Israel is the commercial value attached to pollination. In Israel, farmers hire beehives and pay beekeepers to provide pollination services. In Kenya, however, many farmers expect beekeepers to bring their colonies to farms without compensation, often overlooking the benefits to crop production.
Simeon said commercial pollination could increase crop yields by up to 30 per cent and improve fruit quality, particularly in crops such as avocado and blueberries. Other crops benefiting from bee pollination include macadamia, watermelon, sweet melons and tomatoes.
He urged Kenyan farmers to recognise pollination as an important agricultural service rather than focusing only on honey production. Simeon also called for better technical knowledge, improved hive management and identification of suitable bee forage plants. He proposed developing a flora calendar to help beekeepers identify flowering seasons and plan honey production more effectively.
Strengthening the sector
The government is supporting farmers through training at institutions such as the National Beekeeping Institute, as well as modern, larger-capacity beehives and equipment through a subsidy programme. Ciira also highlighted the proposed Livestock Bill as an important step towards establishing stronger standards for beekeeping equipment, honey quality and professional inspection of the sector.
Meanwhile, the State Department for Livestock Development is using public awareness initiatives to promote pollinator protection. The upcoming Nyuki Marathon, scheduled for February 7, 2027, in Nairobi, will highlight the importance of bees in food production, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
The Israel-led knowledge exchange comes at an important time as Kenya seeks to increase honey production, strengthen horticultural productivity and expand access to international markets. For the country’s growers, the message from the seminar was clear: protecting bees and investing in commercial pollination are not just environmental priorities, but also important opportunities for improving agricultural production and farmers’ incomes.