Introducing Beekeeping Within Microfinance Mechanisms to Combat Poverty Through the Agricultural Bank of Sudan (Case Study River Nile State)

Abstract

This research deals with the subject of the introducing of beekeeping within microfinance mechanisms to combat poverty through the Agricultural Bank of Sudan. The research problem is the absence of beekeeping finance within the microfinance and poverty alleviation programs funded by the bank as a result of the lack of adequate information on the economic feasibility of the project in terms of profitability, the capital, payback period, the policy and qualified staff. To achieve the objectives of the research, the most important of which is introducing of beekeeping within the microfinance and poverty alleviation programs through the bank which covered different parts of Sudan and widespread in rural areas where poverty rate increases. The beekeeping in some areas of Sudan where forests covered large areas (rich flora) is considered the most successful projects, that lead to an increase in household income and thus reduce the poverty. Researcher relied on primary data collected from field survey as well as personal interviews with the Agricultural Bank of Sudan Micro-finance Initiative manager. Of the most prominent findings of the research that beekeeping in Sudan is most promising industry of high economic feasibility with an average production of colony per year of 19.3 Kg and the rate of return on investment of 46.2%, which confirms the feasibility of the project and its suitability for microfinance and poverty alleviation programs, the importance of the project is increasing in remote and rural areas and forests where it is difficult to construct any other projects, in addition to beekeeping lead to increased income to the farmers by increasing the productivity of the crops (River Nile State Initiative). The arguments in the research are intended to provide farmers and poverty reduction stakeholders in Sudan (including policy- makers) with the necessary information and motivation to consider beekeeping as viable commercial and protective activity that should always be considered and integrated in microfinance and poverty reduction programmes through the Agricultural Bank of Sudan. The researcher stated important recommendations. To encourage the banks and other financial institutes to engage in this type of investment, to create associations of local producers to develop productions and marketing process locally and abroad, to encourage the training and scientific research and to encourage beekeeping in order to be one of the agricultural inputs.