Beekeeping has been traditionally looked down upon in Somali, mostly due to the lack of knowledge in the context of a strong nomadic, livestock culture. 60 percent of the population relies directly or indirectly on livestock activities.

Beekeeping tends to be perceived as a hobby or a secondary activity. This perception can often be true but it can also represent for certain populations, an activity which, among all existing options, ensuring secure livelihoods so as not to succumb to poverty. In this case, beekeeping and related commercial activities may constitute untold sources of livelihood for rural people. More than just building up a ‘hobby’, beekeeping can be seen as an important occupation and an aspect of rural life which is found all over the world. In rural communities where income opportunities are small-scale honey production can make a significant contribution to securing livelihood. Beekeeping and related business activities tend to be minimized both at the policy and planning levels of decision-makers. This may be due to the targeting of the rural development, in which agricultural production and livestock are seen as the activities dominant in rural areas. This perspective may obscure the role of beekeeping in life social, culture, and local economies.

Beekeeping does not easily fit into the sectoral divisions of rural development: as an activity in itself, it covers forestry, horticulture, agriculture, nature, animal husbandry and entomology without specifically entering any of these areas. If pollination is an important part of horticulture, bee farming is often considered part of animal production.

We are faced with the same problem with the classification of bee products: honey is a foodstuff while wax is part of non-food products and oils. According to times and countries, honey producers fall into the category of farmers, hunters and collectors, herders, or small rural owners – the remaining beekeeping concealed as unique and fundamental techniques that are part of their lives. These ambiguities complicate the development projects of policy makers, organizations and researchers, even if this complexity is characteristic of the mode in which people link themselves different activities, resources and products in their daily life.

This high complexity explains why approaches to generate sustainable livelihoods, want to ensure a more visible position for beekeeping in rural development. Beekeeping fits well with perspectives that are interested in approaches that want to generate sustainable livelihoods. These approaches have helped to shift development projects which were focused on economic and resource-based development, towards people and their rights and obligations in relation to the resources from which they derive their livelihood.

Beekeeping is a small-scale but widespread activity. Even paying attention, it it’s easy to visit villages and not be aware of beekeeping activities, which are unattractive attention.