From Wild Honey Collection to a New Livelihood: Lait Khan’s Story

For Lait Khan, a 40-year-old father from Sori Village in Ziruk District, Paktika Province, providing for his family has meant making the most of the resources available to him. Before receiving beekeeping support, he collected honey from wild bees in nearby forests. Although this provided some income, the earnings were limited and offered little opportunity to improve his family’s living conditions.

His experience collecting wild honey gave him a connection to beekeeping but developing it into a livelihood required equipment and practical knowledge. Without his own hives, his opportunities to increase production and earn more remained limited. Ensuring better nutrition for his children was also a concern.

A new opportunity came through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)-supported project, implemented by ActionAid. Afghanistan. Lait Khan was among 20 households in Ziruk District selected to receive beekeeping assistance aimed at strengthening rural livelihoods.

As part of this support, he received four beehive boxes, three additional empty boxes and beekeeping equipment. Alongside these materials, he received technical guidance on managing honeybee colonies and caring for his hives. Combining equipment with practical knowledge helped him take an important step from collecting wild honey to producing honey from his own colonies.

For Lait Khan, this change has opened a new pathway to support his household. He now produces honey from his own hives, creating opportunities to earn income through honey sales. The additional empty boxes also provide room for future expansion as he gains experience and develops his beekeeping activities.

“Before, I collected honey from wild bees. Now, with my own beehives and the knowledge to care for them, I hope to earn more and provide better food for my children.”

The value of this support extends beyond honey production. Lait Khan reports improvements in his family’s nutrition, particularly for his children. Having his own hives has given him a foundation on which to build, while the knowledge he has gained helps him care for the colonies that his future production depends on.

His livelihood is still developing, and his ambitions remain focused on his family. He hopes to expand honey production, increase his earnings and provide a more secure future for his children. What began as a limited source of income from wild honey collection is becoming an opportunity to develop a livelihood of his own.

Lait Khan’s experience illustrates how access to equipment and practical skills can help rural households build on their existing experience. Through their partnership, ActionAid Afghanistan and FAO are supporting families to develop livelihood opportunities, improve household nutrition and work towards greater self-reliance.