Afghan teenage beekeeper creates entrepreneurial buzz

LONDON - Three years ago a schoolgirl in rural Afghanistan took out a small loan and bought two beehives. In her first year she harvested 16 kilograms of honey, enough to repay the loan and leave her with a small profit.

In 2016, Frozan, who is now in her final year at school, earned 120,000 afghanis ($1,728) from the 120 kg that her burgeoning collection of 20 beehives produced - a sizable sum given that the country's GDP per person is around $600 a year.

"It is unique for a girl in a rural area like mine to have a private business and make a considerable income, but I trusted myself, took the chance, worked hard and made a success of it," the 19-year-old said by phone from the city of Mazar-i-Sharif.