From Displacement to Unity and Growth: The story of COPROMIK COOP-CA

In Kouoptamo, west region of Cameroon, a group of internally displaced persons and local residents have found a new beginning through beekeeping. Once active cooperative members in Ndu, the internal displaced persons (IDPs) lost everything due to the crisis in the North west and fled to Kouoptamo where that had to start from scratch.

Meanwhile, a few members of the host population were also practicing beekeeping, but with no formal training, limited resources and little coordination. Both groups faced a range of challenges: lack of equipment, knowledge gaps, unstable hive sites that led to scattered and low performing apiaries.

As part of the project’s broader objective to strengthen social cohesion and improve economic resilience, the project identified these beekeepers and brought them together. The idea of forming a new cooperative in Kouoptamo was introduced, one that would combine the strengths of both groups and offer real support for growth. The concept was well received. It aligned with the project’s objectives and thus, COPROMIK COOPCA was established on the 3rd of May 2023, uniting IDPs and local residents under a single, inclusive umbrella for sustainable honey production.

With support from the project, the cooperative received practical training in modern beekeeping, hive construction, apiary management, honey packaging and cooperative operations. They also received essential startup equipment, including 150 improved Kenyan hives, 10 smokers, 50 tool boxes, amongst others.

So far, they have recorded two successful harvests – 10 liters and 25 liters respectively and plan to scale up by forming a wider network of beekeepers, planting fruit trees to improve pollination, and expanding market access.

COPROMIK COOP-CA is more than a beekeeping initiative – it’s a symbol of resilience, unity and shared growth.