Beekeeping Sweetens Livelihoods in Sandvoort

AMIDST the lush secondary forest of Sandvoort Village, West Canje Berbice, lies one of Guyana’s emerging eco-friendly industries with vast potential for sustainable livelihoods—beekeeping. Once a Dutch coffee plantation, Sandvoort was later purchased by freed slaves who transformed it into a farming community. Today, the village continues that legacy of resilience, with residents like Sheon Chisholm and her family at the forefront of the country’s growing apiculture movement.

For Chisholm, 36, a mother of three, beekeeping is more than a business—it is her family’s sole source of income and a lifeline for the community. Her brand, Nature Boy Flow, has become a local favourite, while her teenage son, Orris St Clair, proudly carries forward the family tradition, now recognised as Guyana’s youngest beekeeper.

From Hardship to Honey

Chisholm’s journey began in 2016, when she ventured into beekeeping alongside her spouse. What started with a single hive in their backyard grew into more than 100 hives, until floods in 2016 and 2020 wiped out much of their apiary. As if nature had not tested them enough, wildfires in 2023 again destroyed hives and scorched land.

“Every time we lost, we started back from scratch,” Chisholm recalled. “Beekeeping has enhanced our lives, and it is our only source of livelihood, so giving up was never an option.”

With support from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA), in June 2025, the family received 65 hives and has since rebuilt their stock to over 110 hives. During peak flowering season, their apiary yields around 70 gallons of honey from just over 55 hives—still far less than local demand.

“This tells us there’s a real future in honey production. With expansion, we can supply more households with quality, natural honey,” she explained.

The Rise of a Young Beekeeper

Perhaps most inspiring is the role of Chisholm’s 14-year-old son, Orris St Clair, who manages his own brand, Golden Harvest. Earlier this year, Orris was gifted 10 hives by the Ministry of Agriculture, bringing his total to 15. Today, with 15 hives under his care, Orris proudly trains his peers in the basics of apiculture.

“It’s better to learn a skill than to spend all your time on gadgets,” Orris shared, adding that beekeeping allows young people to earn while helping the environment. His passion and discipline have made him a role model in Sandvoort and beyond. He is a proud student of Berbice Educational Institute.

Apiculture: An Eco-Friendly Future

The PPP/C Government has identified beekeeping as a key eco-friendly industry that complements existing agriculture in Guyana. By promoting apiculture, the government is supporting sustainable livelihoods while encouraging communities to use natural resources responsibly.

Through GLDA, the government has provided training, equipment, and starter hives to numerous families like the Chisholms. Plans are also underway to strengthen the apiculture value chain, improve access to financing through initiatives such as an Agricultural Development Bank, and create more opportunities for women and youth.

“Financing is our biggest hurdle right now,” Chisholm said. “We are grateful for all the support we’ve received, but access to affordable credit would help us expand faster. We welcome the government’s plan for an Agri-bank that will help farmers like us grow.”

A Community Buzzing with Hope

Beyond her household, Chisholm’s home also serves as a training space for youths in Sandvoort. Seven young people have already started their own hives after working alongside her. The family’s honey production centre, located on the lower flat of their home, not only employs two persons but also provides a vision of what sustainable, community-based agribusiness can look like.

From honey to beeswax by-products like candles, balms, and hair oils, Chisholm has diversified her offerings. Her daughter, Sheniah, also runs a small coconut-water business, proving that entrepreneurship runs in the family.

For the people of Sandvoort, apiculture is not just about honey—it is about resilience, independence, and preserving the environment while building livelihoods.

“We see beekeeping as the future,” Chisholm said. “It allows us to live from the land without destroying it, and it’s something we can pass on to our children.”

As the hum of bees fills the air above the fruit trees and mangroves of Sandvoort, it is clear that the sweet promise of honey is matched only by the determination of its people. With families like the Chisholms leading the way, Guyana’s apiculture industry is poised to thrive—one hive at a time.