Beekeeping has been a thriving enterprise among farmers in selected parts of Zambia. However, despite its enormous potential for transforming rural communities and through income generation, the beekeeping sector has experienced stunted growth for many years (or has not experienced meaningful growth for many years). Therefore, this study investigates the nature of beekeeping in selected parts of Zambia's Central Province in order to identify the challenges being faced and the possibility of establishing a business incubation centre at Mulungushi University if the current supporting facilities are not optimal. The study reveals that there is a growing interest among the farmers to venture into beekeeping and the majority regard it as an alternative venture for income generation. Although, the production levels are not high as expected, there is great room for growth if the current setbacks are dealt with. The main challenges cited include inadequate financial support; lack of markets, charcoal burning, land conflicts, water challenges, knew knowledge and modern technology among others. The main recommendation of this study if for Mulungushi University to establish a business incubation centre to act as a conduit for support an exchange of knowledge with the beekeepers. The beekeepers also need sustained financial and material support from the government and cooperating partners. Lastly, there is need for the key stakeholders to converged and put their efforts together.Key words: Capacity building, beekeeping, Central Province, Zambia, business incubation. INTRODUCTIONThe beekeeping sector is made up of various players who include beekeepers, honey processing firms, individual sellers, bulk buyers and individual buyers. The beekeepers can be categorized into two categories wild *Corresponding author. E-mail: shamauswa@gmail.com. honey gatherers, and individual beekeepers (IUCN, 2015). Generally, the beekeeping industry in Zambia operates on a small-scale basis and thus most entities in this industry can be categorised as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). World over, MSMEs play a critical role in employment creation, poverty reduction and economic development. Beekeeping provides an array of opportunities for economic growth through alleviation of poverty, bringing in the much needed foreign currency in the country as well as creating a framework for forestry management (Nyatsande et al., 2014) and climate change adaptation. Beekeeping can also create vital linkages with other sectors of the economy, yet the reality on the ground is that little attention is being made to promote the viability of the sector. It can be noted that beekeeping in most parts of Zambia's Central province had remained at low level, in comparison to North-Western Province, with majority of farmers using traditional methods (Mickels-Kokwe, 2006). In general, beekeepers are lacking capacity to expand their activities. It is against this backdrop that this study sets out to investigate the factors inhibiting its growth and viabilit...