DEEP in Zambia’s North-Western Province, where the ancient trees of Ntambo Central scrape the sky, a different kind of empire is being built—not with bricks or concrete, but with the golden hum of bees and the fierce determination of dreamers. 

Here, hope is handcrafted, resilience is harvested, and a new generation is proving that prosperity can rise straight from the forest floor.

For generations, the dense forests of Mwinilunga district have been home to Zambia’s native honey bees, nature’s tiny but powerful architects. These insects—organized, loyal, and fiercely protective—are the unsung heroes of biodiversity, pollination, and the golden nectar they create: honey.

But their survival, and that of the forests they depend on, has been under siege.

A Crisis in the Canopy

As deforestation accelerates, driven by unsustainable land practices and the hunt for firewood, the bees’ natural habitat is rapidly vanishing. The "State of the Climate in Africa 2023" report lays bare the urgency: African nations are losing up to 5% of GDP annually to climate extremes, diverting scarce resources to defend against an ever-warming planet.

Zambia is no exception. But amid the challenges, a bold, nature-based solution has emerged—led by a company determined to turn crisis into opportunity.

Sowing Sweet Solutions

In 2018, Nature’s Nectar launched a sustainable honey production initiative aimed not just at boosting local incomes, but at protecting Zambia’s forests. With support from MUSIKA and funding from the Swedish government, the program distributed 6,200 modern beehives to 620 farmers in West Lunga Conservancy—replacing traditional, tree-damaging hives with durable, eco-friendly ones made from locally sourced pine and timber.

The result? A thriving beekeeping network that now spans over 2,700 farmers—and counting.

From Bark to Brilliance

For Lavan Kansekeli, a Field Supervisor at Nature’s Nectar, the journey began with education.

“When we started, most farmers didn’t know how to properly manage hives or harvest honey,” he recalls. “But after years of training, they’re now producing high-quality honey—and they understand why preserving trees is essential.”

That message has taken root in places like Ntambo village. Farmers there no longer cut down trees indiscriminately. Instead, they’ve become stewards of their environment, motivated not just by profit, but by pride in a livelihood that heals the land.

The company also provides bicycles for harvesting expeditions and teaches sustainable practices like selective harvesting, which ensures bees continue to thrive.

Harvesting Hope

The impact on lives is profound.

Charles Kamalanda, who began beekeeping in 2021, has already built a larger home and started a small livestock venture. Precious Luvwayi, a mother of six, used her earnings to buy school supplies and send her children to school. And Gerald Chanza, one of the first to join the program in 2018, now harvests over 225 kg of honey a year—enough to buy clothes, furniture, and cover school fees.

“It’s more than just honey,” says Chanza with a smile. “It’s dignity. It’s opportunity.”

Yet, challenges remain. Farmers are calling for increased hive allocations—from 10 to 15 per person—and for faster payments for delivered honey. But the gratitude is palpable.

A Forest Reborn

Behind the numbers lies a staggering environmental achievement: more than 50,000 hectares of forest conserved, with an additional 6,100 hectares added in 2021 alone. As MUSIKA’s Managing Director Reuben Banda explains, “This is a perfect example of how environmental preservation can go hand-in-hand with economic empowerment.”

The ripple effect of this $3.1 million investment by the Swedish government is reaching far beyond Ntambo. With 380,000 small-scale farmers already benefitting from MUSIKA’s support, Nature’s Nectar has proven that conservation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

A Vision for Tomorrow

At the helm of this green revolution is Katherine Milling, co-founder and CEO of Nature’s Nectar. From a modest beginning with 200 farmers, her company now exports honey regionally and produces up to 200 tonnes per year.

“Our goal is to reach 5,000 farmers,” she says. “Every hive we distribute is a step toward a more sustainable future—one where forests are protected, incomes are stable, and nature thrives.”

In a world increasingly shaped by climate change, the story of Ntambo Central offers a powerful lesson: that sometimes, the sweetest solutions are born not from grand inventions, but from nature herself—and from the hands of those who choose to protect her.