For many years, Kulitu had been collecting honey from a traditional hive near her home and selling it in the local market for just a few pounds – but she felt certain that honey had the potential to generate more money for her family. So she joined a co-operative in her village established by Farm Africa to help farmers earn a good income from forest resources like honey, whilst protecting the area from deforestation for future generations.

Since joining the co-operative in 2012 – and becoming a member of the honey producers’ group that forms part of it – Kulitu has learnt how to improve the quality of her honey. And as her income has grown she has been investing in additional hives, so last year harvested a total of 140kg. Not only is Kulitu producing plenty of high-quality honey, but by using the marketing training provided by Farm Africa, and selling in bulk with the other co-operative members, she is now selling her honey for up to 70 Ethiopian birr (just over £2) per kilo – almost double the price it fetched at the local market!

Kulitu can now easily afford to send her children to school and no longer worries about being able to buy food and household essentials. But she’s still eager to build her business further and has used some of her income to buy two Kenyan top-bar hives that will generate large quantities of top-quality honey. Kulitu’s bold plans for the future include doubling the amount of honey she is producing and permanently transforming her family’s lives.