USAID / Sudan - Success Stories

Honey Export Signals First Commercial Trade in the Region for Sudanese Producers

A Sudanese producers association partnered with Baraka Agricultural College participated in a Food World Exhibition held in Nairobi, Kenya in August 2001 to promote honey from South Sudan. Shortly after the exhibition, Baraka College increased substantially its honey import requirement to meet increased consumer demand in Kenya. The Sudan "golden honey" was rated by several buyers from Uganda and Kenya as superior quality honey with good potential to penetrate the East Africa Regional markets.

Sudan honey was promoted in the first ever Apimondia Conference held in Africa, which took place in Durban, South Africa in October/November 2001. The conference attracted close to 2000 participants across the globe and was the first and biggest conference to exhibit and promote South Sudan products in recent memory. The New Sudan Honey Producers Association (NSHPA), in collaboration with Baraka Agricultural College, and Uganda Beekeepers Association were the only two exhibitors from the whole East and Central Africa.

Guyson Adi'kobaa who represented the NSHPA and Catholic Relief Services, became the first Sudanese to attend the Apimondia Conference, and the first Sudanese involved in the formation of the newly established Africa Beekeepers Association.

Last year alone, NSHPA sold to Uganda and Kenya a total of 22 metric tons of honey, the first ever in the history of Sudan honey export. This earned about US$11,000 for the beekeepers. The group sold over 5 metric tons locally in Sudan. As a result, about 20 beekeepers were able to purchase bicycles to transport from production to collection centers. John Kalaba, one of the producers and members of the NSHPA said, "I would never have a bicycle if USAID did not come to show us the way. We have plenty of honey, but we did not know where to sell."

Maridi Farmers Association (MFA), one of the projects supported by Catholic Relief Services(CRS) with funding from USAID mobilized and sold up to 430 metric tons of grain in 2000/2001 that earned the farmers about US$130,000. The impact of this project after each sales had positive impacts on various groups, ranging from the farmers, their families, and traders whose sales increased. Some families saw improved access to other public service sectors. Juma Migido, one of the successful commercial farmers was able to purchase a Suzuki motorcycle costing US$2,500 from the sales of his grain. When the Project Manager of CRS asked how Migido felt, he said, "I did not know that I would ever own a motorcycle of my own. It is a surprise, a big one." When asked as to what his next plans were, Migido said, "My next plans are to buy a tractor and irrigating generator to increase production." About 120 other farmers were able to purchase bicycles.

USAID/ Sudan - Success Stories