Wukro White Honey Presidium in Ethiopia

Wukro is located in the heart of the Tigrai, in the extreme north of Ethiopia on the border with Eritrea. It is an extremely arid region, with impressive red rocky mountains alternating with deep canyons and valleys.

After the main rainy season, the bees benefit from the short flowering period and produce an aromatic honey with very distinctive properties. Wukro White honey is mainly sold in bulk (in plastic drums) to intermediaries who pay a derisory price to the producers and often distribute it in the large towns, mixed with lower quality honey.

The Presidium involves 17 beekeepers and their families. In 2010 a building for honey extraction will be completed that will allow the beekeepers to improve the quality of their product by working in a more hygienic and sanitary environment. A shop will also be built where producers can sell their honey and other products directly to the public. Greater diversification by promoting other traditional products will help the local economy to be less vulnerable.

Supporting beekeepers in Ethiopia, not only helps to defend the country’s biodiversity, but provides an additional source of income for the communities of this region which live in a subsistence economy based on growing cereals and legumes and keeping livestock.

The Wukro White Honey Presidium project in Ethiopia is dedicated to the memory of Jan Wolf, founder and first President of Slow Food Netherlands, who passed away in 2009. This is our small tribute to the commitment and devotion which Jan always showed towards Slow Food, and for which we shall always be grateful.

The total cost for carrying out the project in 2010 is € 32,750 broken down as follows:

• Completion of workshop and shop € 7,000
• Training for producers and preparation of production rules € 5,000
• Packaging and communication materials € 3,500
• Cataloging local nectariferous plants € 4,000
• Participation of 4 Presidium representatives at Salone del Gusto and Terra Madre 2010 € 8,000
• Local support staff € 1,000
• Project coordination € 4,250

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