A cooperative of young people based in Mzuzu City is making remarkable progress financially after launching bee farming.
The cooperative, comprising 40 young people, operates under the name Mtende Youth Cooperative which is under an organisation called Citizen Impact Organisation (CIO).
Launched in 2024, Mtende Youth Cooperative has grown into a thriving enterprise which is transforming lives by empowering unemployed youth to become self-reliant.
CIO spokesperson Mphatso Ngwira said the cooperative’s honey products have started penetrating the local market.
“Since its launch last year, I can now testify that our products are making a mark in Mzuzu City,” she said.
Ngwira said CIO invested K3.5 million worth of materials for Mtende Youth Cooperative to kickstart it’s bee farming.
“We are glad that the investment did not go to waste as the cooperative is thriving,” said Ngwira.
She said the cooperative is now able to supply honey products, including honey, beeswax and propolis to customers in Mzuzu with plans to expand supply already in the pipeline.
Mtende Youth Cooperative secretary Kelvin Chavula has since indicated that through profits earned from sales few weeks ago, the cooperative has launched a cash transfer initiative among its members as one way of diversifying its activities.
“Through this initiative, we hope individual members will also introduce separate investments,” he said.
This year alone, the cooperative has made profit in excess of K6 million, with more profit projected to be made once honey harvesting is completed.
