dc.description.abstract | GENERAL ABSTRACT
African countries have potential for adding market value to their unique origin products
similar to how the European Union create additional monetary value from agricultural origin
products protected with Geographical Indications (GI). Registering origin products with GI
creates an opportunity to foster economic growth and build livelihoods of rural communities
while stewarding the natural environment.
Producers of Kenyan honey can gain additional benefits from their unique products, however,
the prospects for protecting the honey with GI have not been explored. Information on quality
and origin attributes which can facilitate GI labelling of Kenyan honey have not been
documented. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) assess the suitability of honey
from West Pokot, Baringo and Kitui Counties for GI labelling; (2) determine the
physicochemical and melissopalynological parameters of honey from West Pokot, Baringo
and Kitui Counties; (3) determine the diversity and frequency of visitors of Acacia brevispica
and extent of pollination by honey bees in Kitui County; (4) determine factors influencing
collective action among producers of honey from West Pokot, Baringo and Kitui Counties;
and (5) evaluate existing value addition initiatives enhancing recognition of territorial traits of
honey from West Pokot, Baringo and Kitui Counties.
This study was carried out in West Pokot, Baringo and Kitui Counties, Kenya. Methods used
in data collection included; literature review, interviews with various actors in the honey subsector
and representatives from other organizations supporting honey production, household
surveys, field observations and honey analysis.
Results showed that West Pokot, Baringo and Kitui honey have potential for protection with
GI mainly based on their specificity and quality traits which are closely linked to the natural
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environment (floral sources) in the area of production and producer know-how. Eighteen out
of 21 honey samples analysed in this study had all parameter values within the limits set in
the East African Standards for honey, Codex Alimentarius Standards for honey and the
European Union directive for honey. Pollen analysis showed a total of 29 pollen types in the
honey samples analysed and Acacia spp. was the predominant pollen type in 4 of the 21
honey samples.
Findings of this study also showed that honey bees were the most frequent flower visitors and
pollinator of A. brevispica. Acacia pollen was the predominant pollen type in all the honey
samples collected within the study area where bees visiting A. brevispica were observed. This
showed a link between pollination of A. brevispica and honey production. Honey bees
provide pollination services to A. brevispica for the return of pollen and nectar for the
production of honey.
Factors determining collective action, include experience in beekeeping, distance from farms
to the honey processing centre, education level, number of hives owned, use of modern hives,
GI awareness (awareness of link between product quality and production region), production
of honey with origin linked attributes and access to information on production and value
addition of honey. Results showed that initiatives undertaken by actors within and outside the
honey sub-sector play a great role in enhancing recognition of territorial or local traits of the
Kenyan honey, which are important aspects in GI registration of products. However,
prospects for protecting Kenyan honey with GI are hampered by inadequate support by
institutional and legal framework.
Findings of this study will inform development and operationalization of infrastructure,
programs, policies and other institutional frameworks which are essential in enhancing
capacity of honey producers for protection of origin products with GI. Further, results are
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useful to Counties seeking to ensure economic growth from local natural resources while
enhancing their protection.
Key Words: Geographical Indications, Origin products, Honey, Melissopalynological
analysis, Physicochemical analysis, Collective action, Pollination
service, Value addition initiatives, West Pokot, Baringo and Kitui Counties | en_US |