IYWF: Empowering rural women through beekeeping: An’am Borini’s journey to resilience

27/04/2026

This story unfolds in a year of special significance. The International Year of the Woman Farmer shines a light on women like An’am Borini, whose work often goes unseen despite being essential to rural economies and food systems. Across the world, women farmers continue to face barriers in accessing land, training, and markets. An’am’s experience in Jerash reflects both these challenges and the possibilities that emerge when the right support is in place. Her journey from uncertainty to confidence is not just a personal achievement. It echoes a wider movement to recognize, support, and invest in rural women as key drivers of sustainable livelihoods and resilient communities.

In the forested hills of Jerash, where oak trees and wildflowers create ideal conditions for honey production, An’am Borini stands proudly beside her beehives - symbols of a journey from limited opportunities to growing economic independence.

Before joining FAO’s project “Enhancing resilience of rural women communities through the valorization of Forest Products” (15 November 2022 – 31 December 2024), An’am faced challenges common to many rural women in Jerash. Employment opportunities were limited, access to productive assets such as land and capital was limited, and technical training was largely out of reach. Social constraints, domestic responsibilities, and weak market linkages further restricted women’s ability to engage in income-generating activities. Regulatory requirements and licensing costs for honey production made it even harder for women to formally enter the market.

“Before the project, I wanted to start something of my own, but I didn’t know where to begin or how I could afford it,” An’am recalls. “Everything felt out of reach.”

Through FAO’s project, An’am was among 120 rural women supported to strengthen livelihoods based on forest products. Jerash was strategically selected due to its rich forest cover, diverse flowering plants suitable for sustainable beekeeping, and the clear socio-economic need among rural women with limited income opportunities.

An’am participated in an intensive 15-day training programme covering technical bee management, seasonal planning, disease control, and honey extraction. She also received 40 beehives, complete with bee colonies, honey processing tools, and packaging equipment. These inputs enabled her to begin production immediately and to apply her newly acquired skills with confidence.

“The training and equipment gave me the confidence to launch my business,” she says. “For the first time, I felt that I had the skills and support to succeed.”

In her first production cycle, An’am harvested approximately 65 kilograms of honey. With FAO’s support, she regularly participated in agricultural exhibitions and local fairs, where she showcased her products, reached 200–300 customers, and built direct relationships with consumers and traders. These market opportunities translated into tangible results, increasing her income by around 30 percent and improving her household’s economic stability.

Beekeeping proved particularly suitable for An’am and other women in her community. The activity requires relatively low start-up costs and can be managed close to home, allowing women to balance income generation with household and caregiving responsibilities. It also offers a sustainable livelihood linked to natural resource-based value chains, with potential for gradual expansion and increased income over time.

Beyond her own business, An’am is now creating change at the community level. She has supported and encouraged other women to take up beekeeping, helping around 20 women develop the skills to manage hives independently. By sharing practical knowledge, producing healthy honey-based food products, and helping women overcome their fear of bees, she has contributed to building confidence and new income opportunities within her community.

“I want other women to know that they can do this too,” An’am says. “With the right support, we can build something sustainable for ourselves and our families.”

Looking ahead, An’am plans to expand her enterprise and continue mentoring other women. While challenges remain such as controlling hornets, a major threat to bees, and ensuring the availability of vaccines, the foundations are in place for the activity to continue beyond the project period.

An’am’s story demonstrates how targeted investment in women’s skills, assets, and market access can transform livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and unlock the economic potential of rural women in Jordan’s forested regions.