Women lead Erromango’s first Beekeeping Project

Jul 9, 2025 | Initiatives and Projects | 0

Women leaders from seven communities on Erromango have completed a one-week beekeeping training aimed at supporting economic independence and building climate resilience. The training, delivered by ActionAid Vanuatu through its Vanuatu Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (VEBA) project, marks the official introduction of honey bees to the island.

The training was launched by the Member of Parliament (MP) for TAFEA Outer Islands, Tomker Netvunei.

Rossette Kalmet, Programme Quality Manager at ActionAid Vanuatu and VEBA Project Coordinator, said the initiative responds directly to the needs identified by women on Erromango.

“The training came about following the need of the women here on the island, especially those who are members of the Women I Tok Tok Tugeta (WITTT) network,” she said. “This is the second phase of the VEBA project after similar training was conducted on Tanna. We were motivated by the great work of women leaders there, and now they are leading the project in their own communities.”

Seven fully equipped beehives — including queen bees, drones, workers, and necessary tools — have been installed in seven selected communities. Kalmet noted that the project is entirely women-led, with each participant now managing her own hive.

“The idea is to support the financial independence of our women leaders and provide a sustainable livelihood to strengthen household economies,” Kalmet said. “It also gives women the ability to access emergency funds when needed.”

She added that the project complements other income-generating activities already in place on Erromango, including poultry farms, wholesale shops, savings schemes, and resilience gardens.

Beyond local impact, Kalmet said the initiative also supports national and provincial policies. “This project aligns with the National Gender Equality Policy, the Provincial Gender Action Plan, and The People’s Plan developed by the Department of Local Authorities,” she said. “It’s about putting policy into practice on the ground.”

The training was delivered in partnership with Tanna Coffee, the Vanuatu Bee Association, the Department of Livestock under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Biosecurity (MALFB), and supported by DFAT and WWF.

The North and South Erromango Area Administrators also participated, reinforcing collaboration between ActionAid Vanuatu, local government, and community leaders. The North Erromango Council of Chiefs was also acknowledged for their support.

Phillip Johnson, a Tanna Coffee staff member and experienced beekeeper based in Port Vila, led the training.

“This is the first time ever that bees are being introduced to Erromango,” Johnson said. “The women had never worked with bees before, so it was a completely new experience. I’m proud to help make history.”

Johnson also described the challenges involved in transporting the bees from Tanna to Erromango. “We moved the hives in nuclear boxes by ship and boat.

“The seas were rough, and we had to spend a night in a nearby village, but we managed to keep the bees safe and healthy — no queen was lost.”

He hopes the training will lead to the formation of an Erromango Bee Association and that participants will expand their hives and develop a strong honey production sector on the island.

“The goal is to support local biodiversity through pollination and protect pest-free bee populations in the outer islands,” Johnson said. “We want to avoid the issues faced by other islands like Efate, where pests have started affecting bee populations.”

The training concluded yesterday, Friday 4 July, with certificates presented to all participants. Each woman will now manage a hive in her own community, with hopes that this first beekeeping initiative will bring lasting economic, social, and environmental benefits to Erromango.

SOURCE: VANUATU DAILY POST

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Women lead Erromango’s first Beekeeping Project

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Women lead Erromango’s first Beekeeping Project

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