The United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Haiti) is partnering with 6 Haitian agricultural universities, including the American University of the Caribbean (AUC), to conduct research and extension on beekeeping.

In just 5 months, the AUC beekeeping team reorganized its beekeeping site, acquired new equipment and tools, and began construction of a honey house to manage the production of honey and other products.

They renovated beehives, created short beekeeping courses for students and other community members, and developed ways to use honey to generate income. The number of bee colonies has increased by more than 100%, with 50 new colonies. The first harvest of honey was sold at a profit !

Lourna Virlie Augustave, a senior student in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences who took a beekeeping course, said, "I developed a kind of love for beekeeping and I see in this company an economical gateway for me and my family."

Through this project, USAID Haiti contributes to community and economic development, education and improving Haiti's agricultural resilience.

IH/ iciHaiti