Meet Joseph Kadendula, A Tanzanian Businessman Who Turned His Passion For Farming Into A Thriving Honey Business, He’s The Co-Founder Of Central Park Bees

From a farming novice to honey entrepreneur

The Inspiring Journey of Joseph Kadendula, a Tanzanian businessman who turned his passion for farming into a thriving honey business.

Starting as a mobile phone reseller, Kadendula used his profits to venture into farming. Faced with challenges caused by middlemen in the crop production industry, he explored new opportunities.

In 2013, during a trip to China, he witnessed the potential of honey and decided to commercialize it in Tanzania.

With little knowledge of beekeeping, Kadendula trained himself through online resources and purchased his first processing machine.

The success of selling honey surpassed Kadendula’s previous profits from crop production. Inspired by this, he co-founded Central Park Bees in 2015 with his brother and a friend.

They gradually added honey processing equipment based on market demand, allowing organic growth driven by customer needs.

To meet the increasing demand, Central Park Bees established a network of farmers and empowered them with training, equipment loans, and access to quality beehives. Beekeeping proved to be a viable option for smallholder farmers in Tanzania due to the natural bee attraction.

By 2016, Central Park Bees had a network of 200 farmers, and by 2017, they officially entered the market with their retail brand, Swahili Honey. Today, they work with around 1,300 farmers and focus on honey processing while collaborating with logistics companies and distributors to reach local and international customers.

Maintaining consistent quality and building strong relationships with farmers are top priorities for Central Park Bees. They understand the importance of certifications and traceability to meet consumer expectations.

The company plans to expand its export reach and introduce new products like peanut butter and honey mixes and energy bars.

Source: Charles Ayitey

Email: elora.akpotosevbe@yahoo.com