Siphiwe Honey Gold Farm and Preserve is an agro-ecotourism destination situated in the southern region of The Bahamas, located on the eastern region of Rum Cay Island. Occupying 12 acres of undisturbed family owned (generation) land under the owner and manager, Mr. Raynard Christopher Burnside. The business offers an environmental education learning resource center acting as a major public access facility for Bahamians and tourists to learn and experience organic farming, biodiversity of The Bahamas, beekeeping and production and on-farm stays with 4 environmentally-friendly agro-eco lodges.
Siphiwe Honey Gold Farm and Preserve creatively addresses environmental issues by being a green certified agro-ecotourism business. The green certification enables and engages the business to achieve several environmentally eco-friendly initiatives, such as:-
Solid waste reduction, reuse and recycling
Energy efficiency and reduced use of diminishing resources
Water efficiency and reduced use
Purchasing and packaging alternatives
Reduction in "carbon footprint"
Pollution prevention
Reduced external air emissions and improved interior air quality
Education of employees and customers about green business efforts
Reduced operational costs
Reduction in hazardous waste and proper handling
Avoidance of additional user/mitigation/permits and fees
Honey beekeeping is truly one of the most important things we can do to preserve the biodiversity of our planet, as bees are responsible for pollination (an important factor in food production). Presently, the threat and decline in honey bee population throughout the world has brought long –term consequences in the lack of human nutrition and food for wildlife. Through Siphiwe Honey Gold Farm and Preserve goals, it operates as a world class centre promoting biodiversity and sustainability. The honeybee population have decline tremendously in the Bahamas. The decline has signaled a major environmental imbalance that could soon have far-reaching implications for The Bahamas agricultural food supply.