Radio Netherlands Worldwide is focusing on the theme of microfinance in 2010 asking the question Who Profits? We will be examining the issue via portraits of those receiving microfinance and sparking debate on the subject. More stories in our dossier

Beekeepers in Morocco don't like working on their own. If they join forces with around four others, they can get a group loan like the one Abdelkebir Baddi received. He says the system has its good and bad points: "If someone in the group doesn't pay up, the others foot the bill."

Mr Baddi's beehives are in the mountains round Ain Aouda, a village near the capital Rabat. He wears a white protective suit and headgear when he harvests the honey from the combs. He began ten years ago with just a few hives; now, he's got 26.

He and three other beekeepers signed a joint liability contract with Al Amana, one of Morocco's largest microcredit organisations. Mr Baddi borrowed 300 euros for five extra hives at an interest rate of about 30 percent. He agreed to pay back around 20 euros every two weeks. Sometimes, he has to borrow the money to make the repayment. Nevertheless, he still hopes to build up a small sum of capital for his family.

Click here for an account of how the video came about.
 
This video portrait is part of a series about small businesses that have received microcredit. The eight reports have been produced for Radio Netherlands Worldwide’s series “Microfinance – who profits?” that was launched on 25 January 2010 at a conference at the Peace Palace in The Hague.