Background – Honduras is one of the poorest countries in Latin America and is marked by the extremely unequal distribution of wealth. Around half of the population is living below the poverty line; in the rural areas this figure rises to more than 70 per cent. Although fully occupied, many of these people have great difficulty in providing for even their most basic needs. The overwhelming majority are involved in agricultural work. In 2000, Swisscontact began to promote the honey sector, the market potential of which is still far from fully exploited. More efficient methods of cultivation, as well as improved access to the market and the appearance of new products are raising the income of the beekeepers and opening up a way out of poverty.  

Project – Swisscontact is providing beekeepers and small enterprises with technical advice and training in production, quality control and business management. The farmers are learning how to sell their products more effectively and how to secure new market outlets. A quality hallmark for honey, which is recognised by the state, has been created and this is making exports much easier, particularly to Germany and Canada. In addition, the farmers are being motivated to produce not just honey, but also industrial raw materials for medicines, cosmetics and enriched foodstuffs. In this way they are becoming less vulnerable to any price fluctuations on the international markets. The processing of the new products is being taken over by local small enterprises, which are already active in this field. Now, 1,150 Hondurans living in the country’s rural regions are reaping the benefits of the Swisscontact project. New jobs have been created in honey processing and these are being filled primarily by women. For the people of rural Honduras honey represents an opportunity to achieve a better standard of living through their own efforts.