“She doesn’t wait for me—she is the manager.”
This is how Mitiku Mekuriyaw proudly describes his wife, Felegush Aynie Mengist, a 26-year-old woman from Arsa Gembeha Kebele in Banja Woreda.
Felegush is a participant in the MaYEA program, implemented by Bees for Development Ethiopia in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and led by ORDA Ethiopia.
Felegush Aynie at her apiary site, Banja Woreda, Arsa Gembeha Kebele, April 17, 2026
Growing up, Felegush was familiar with beekeeping.“I used to watch my father tending bees,” she recalls. “I helped clean hives and prepare the smoker.”
After marriage, she and her husband began building their livelihood through farming and small-scale beekeeping—an idea she initiated.
“We started beekeeping as a side activity,” she says. “But with only five hives, we harvested just 4 to 5 kilograms per hive in a good season.”
Mitiku reflects on those early years: “We didn’t understand the real benefits of bees. We placed hives wherever there was space. For 10 years, we worked without seeing meaningful results.”
Before joining the program, Felegush’s role was limited, and the business remained small, with most of the honey consumed at home.
Everything changed after she joined the MaYEA program.
“The training opened my eyes,” Felegush says. “I gained skills, confidence, and a new way of thinking.”
She received five days of intensive training on life skills, gender and safeguarding, apiculture, and value chain development. With continuous technical support and follow-up visits, she began transforming her beekeeping practices.
“I improved my apiary, built better hives, and started using modern technologies,” she explains.
Using a loan of 85,920 ETB, Felegush invested strategically—purchasing 8 modern hives, constructing 3 transitional hives, and expanding to 60 improved traditional hives. She also planted bee forage and actively collected swarms to increase her colonies.
“In a short time, I expanded from 15 to 75 colonies,” she says.
Mitiku Mekuriyaw, Felegush Husband at their apiary site, Banja Woreda, Arsa Gembeha Kebele, April 17, 2026
Her productivity rose significantly. During the 2025–2026 season, she harvested and sold 315 kilograms of honey at 600 ETB per kilogram, generating a total income of 189,000 ETB.
“My estimated profit ranges between 100,000 and 150,000 ETB within 10 months,” she adds.
Mitiku reflects with some regret. “We once received three modern hives, but we didn’t understand their value. Without knowledge, we just store them. Now we see that modern hives produce more and better-quality honey.” Beyond her household, Felegush’s success is influencing her community.
“Before, people didn’t consider beekeeping as a real job,” she says. “Now, after the MaYEA program, beekeeping and sheep fattening are becoming popular. I see households owning at least 10 hives in their backyards.”
Her journey is shifting perceptions—especially for young women.
“People now see that apiculture can be a reliable source of income,” she notes.
Looking ahead, Felegush and her husband want to expand to 200 colonies, establish a bee multiplication center, and convert most of the traditional hives into modern and transitional types.”
She is committed to repaying her loan and participating in future financial opportunities, though she highlights key challenges.
“The loan size is not enough, and the repayment period is short,” she explains. “If it could be extended to one year and increased to 200,000 ETB, it would better match the business cycle.”
Reflecting on her change, she says:
“Before this support, I practiced traditional beekeeping with limited benefits. Now I have improved my skills, expanded my colonies, and increased my income. I am confident in growing my business.”