Bees for Development Journal Edition 108 - September 2013 by Bees for Development

Bees for Development

JOURNAL

ISSUE NO 108, SEPTEMBER 2013

COMB STRIPS AND TOP-BARS BEEKEEPING SYSTEMS PEOPLE’S HIVE GOOD MANAGEMENT WWW.BEESFORDEVELOPMENT.ORG

20 1993

YEARS 2013

COVER PHOTO ©

Bees for Development Journal 108

Byakatunda Abbott (right) and Dgirigoli Powell (left) are members of Masaka Beekeepers Association in Kawenge Sub County, Uganda. This is a group of young beekeepers who seek to learn and share ideas about what it is like to be a young beekeeper. They did not know about BfD Journal until Martin Jones, BfD’s Project Officer showed them. However, George Tunanukye from KABECOS, one of BfD’s partner organisations in Uganda, has pledged to send them a copy.

Issue No 108 In this issue

September 2013 page

Sustainable beekeeping in Africa..........2/5 Practical beekeeping – hygiene in colony management................................3 Practical beekeeping – straight top-bar combs........................................6 Warré People’s Hive................................9 Beekeeping economics in Uganda.........10 South East Asia beekeeping project..................................................13 News around the World.........................14 Tom Seeley at Apimondia......................15 Bookshelf..............................................16 Look and Learn Ahead..........................18 Notice Board....................................18/19 BfD Journal Produced quarterly and sent to readers in over 130 countries Editor Nicola Bradbear PhD Co-ordinator Helen Jackson BSc Subscriptions cost £26 per year - see page 17 for ways to pay Readers in developing countries may apply for a sponsored subscription. Apply online or use the form on page 20 BfD Trust (UK Registered Charity1078803) works to assist beekeepers in developing countries.

Bees for Development Post 1 Agincourt Street Monmouth NP25 3DZ, UK Phone +44 (0)1600 714848 info@beesfordevelopment.org www.beesfordevelopment.org

Dear friends During July 2013 the French language portal of FAO’s TECA beekeeping exchange group* discussed sustainable beekeeping in Africa. Bees for Development moderated the interesting discussion that took place. A statement made by one of the contributors is an excellent starting point for our summary: “North is convinced its way to keep bees is the best. South wants to follow the leader without any change or adaptation” Beekeeping systems in Africa cannot stand still – as the environment and human society change, so must beekeeping systems adapt. Burning bees to harvest honey is not sustainable in today’s environment and alternative methods of harvesting need to be introduced. However, change and adaptation must be locally relevant and – above all – sustainable. Beekeeping systems in industrialised countries do not offer models that are generally appropriate for African farmers. For example, hobby beekeepers in Europe spend a lot of money on equipment and their beekeeping is rarely profitable. Large-scale bee farms in parts of Asia achieve economy of scale and profitability, but this model is not suitable for the household-level beekeeping which remains the norm in Africa. Large-scale bee farms are ecologically unsustainable: bee diseases are kept at bay only through the use of veterinary medicines and bees rely on supplementary sugar feeding during winter. These models cannot be followed, and an alternative pathway to change and adaptation is needed. The recurring themes of the discussion were the ecological and economic implications of local-style fixed comb and top-bar beekeeping systems It is important to analyse the advantages and disadvantages of these systems correctly – to understand the implications for sustainability. Some statements from contributors: • ‘Traditional’ hive-making causes deforestation • Beekeepers kill bees when harvesting from ‘traditional’ hives • ‘Traditional’ beekeeping is expanding • The success of ‘other kinds’ of hives depends on knowledge of beekeepers • The two practices ‘modern’ and ‘traditional’ have to be mixed progressively • Sometimes it is difficult for populations [people] to accept ‘modern’ hives • ‘Traditional’ beekeeping is ecologically sustainable (except the cutting of trees) • The profitability of ‘modern’ beekeeping may be 5-7 times higher than ‘traditional’ • The ecological and economical profitability is higher in ‘modern’ beekeeping than ‘traditional’ • Top-bar hives are not convenient for bees.

Discussing correct terminology To continue this discussion it is important to make a comment about the use of terms. The terms ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ are not technical beekeeping terms and are prejudicial words which cause confusion. Traditional implies ‘of the past’ and ‘no longer relevant’ yet hives which are often labelled ‘traditional’ are clearly very relevant today. ‘Traditional’ also implies that a method is static and unchanging. This view disregards people’s ingenuity to take on new ideas – for example in Ethiopia beekeepers use fixed comb hives in many areas, and the materials they use and the size of the hives have varied over time. Modern implies ‘the best’ or ‘technologically advanced’ and makes no allowance for context. The term ‘modern’ is sometimes used to refer to top-bar hives and sometimes frame hives: the term is ambiguous. Use of these words can prejudice opinion and decision-making when in fact, what is required, is a careful analysis of the suitability of any beekeeping system for the resources available and prevailing conditions. ‘Traditional’ hives in Africa are fixed comb hives, and this is an accurate beekeeping term, especially useful when discussing beekeeping techniques. Another useful term is ‘local-style’. There are two main types of moveable comb hives – frame hives and top-bar hives. These technical terms should always be used as they accurately describe the hive type. It is important to go beyond simplistic polarisations between ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ to understand the capacity people have to integrate different ideas, materials and technologies. * http://teca.fao.org/

Continued on page 5

Support: Bees for Development Trust gratefully acknowledge Marr Munning Trust, Panta Rhea Foundation, E H Thorne (Beehives) Ltd, Trade Advance Ltd, The Waterloo Foundation, and the many groups and individuals who support our work. Please encourage your friends and colleagues to help. See our website for how to become a Supporter. 2

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PRACTICAL BEEKEEPING

GOOD BEEKEEPING PRACTICE - HYGIENE IN BEE COLONY MANAGEMENT Wolfgang Ritter, CVUA-Freiburg, Am Moos Weihez, D 79108, Freiburg, Germany PHOTOS © J SCHWENKEL

Keywords: American foulbrood, chalkbrood, feeder, propolis The second in the series of Dr Wolfang Ritter offering advice for Good Beekeeping Practice during the management of bee colonies and honey processing.

Hygiene Hygienic conditions within the nest are very important for a honey bee colony: ill or dead bees are quickly removed, die far away from the hive during foraging, or die as crawlers at the entrance hole. This prevents ill bees from defecating inside the hive and avoids the spread of germs (pathogenic micro-organisms) within the colony. Worker bees are constantly busy cleaning the inner space and covering it with propolis to disinfect the area. The beekeeper interferes with the bees’ own well-functioning hygiene system when he or she lifts out and replaces frames or combs, and also when using devices for management, feeding or honey harvest. Neglecting cleanliness endangers both the health of the bees, and also the production of clean and healthy food items. This point is valid regarding also equipment used in the processing of bee products. There are different ways to reach a certain standard of hygiene. In Germany, only when an apiary has to be sanitised after an outbreak of American Foulbrood (AFB) does the veterinary medical officer or the bee expert in charge, determine the method for cleaning and disinfection.

Wooden frames are disinfected quickly and easily using a commercially available gas burner and a rented bottle of propane gas

Clean feeders If a feeder is integrated into the hive system, or if a receptacle is introduced, it must be cleaned regularly and thoroughly because bees do not regard this section as being part of the nest, and they clean it less carefully. Also leftovers containing sugar are an ideal home for all kinds of germs and can easily start to ferment. Therefore remnants of food should always be removed quickly.

Good coat of paint For good public relations concerning honey production you should keep the outside of hives looking good. Use only safe, pollution-free, preferably natural materials, for painting hives. Though the exterior surface does not come into direct contact with the inner parts of the hive, evaporation may influence bee health and bee products. Good hygiene at the entrance of the hive is important because it is the area most frequented by bees. However a healthy colony of normal strength will take care of this for itself.

Cleaning tools and small equipment Beekeepers’ hive tools, bee brushes or feathers imply a special risk. They easily transfer diseases from one colony to another. Cleaning them well and regularly is an important part of Good Beekeeping Practice. You can interrupt a chain of infection from apiary to apiary by using separate sets of tools at each place. In the case of queen breeding and rearing do not forget to clean mating hives and breeding frames - because they are used only for a short time they tend to be disregarded.

Fire and lye Coating hives inside is not necessary because in new hives the bees take care of hygiene. However, a balanced relationship between colony strength and space must be respected. As with all used hive parts, frames put on top for expansion should be cleaned by scraping them out and preferably disinfecting them. Wooden hives are cleaned simply by torching. Hive parts can be washed with a 2% soda solution (lye). For plastic frames, lye is the only possibility. After the outbreak of a disease, especially AFB, you should preferably use 5% lye or other officially recommended chemicals.

Careful cleaning The bottom of the hive is usually cleaned by the bees themselves. However in weak colonies or in hives with deep bases, faeces on the floor board may go unnoticed. The bees cannot clean underneath the bottom grid, and here the beekeeper must take action. Chalkbrood mummies removed by the bees from the brood cells represent a permanent source of infection. If they are not removed, the fungal spores penetrate the brood section by circulation in the air. Other mildew moulds affect bee health and the quality of bee products.

Remnants from a dead colony have to be removed and the hive disinfected before a new colony is introduced 3

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How to do

warmed up afterwards. For 2% caustic soda lye, 1 kg, and for 5%, 2.5 kg, of caustic soda respectively, are dissolved in 50 litres of water. Hive parts are either brushed with warm lye or dipped into hot lye and rinsed afterwards with water. Before disposal the lye has to be neutralised (pH 7) with acetic acid. Acidity must be monitored, for example with litmus paper (pH 1-10).

Manual cleaning Hives and tools are regularly cleaned of wax and propolis remnants using a hive tool and a rough brush. Water is sufficient to clean the surface. If used, chemical cleaners must not be hazardous to bees or pollute the bee products.

Advantages

• Suitable for nearly all kinds of material

• Suitable for sanitation after AFB infestation

• Increases the effect of any following disinfection

Disadvantages

• High risk of accident with hot lye

• Labour-intensive

• Environment protection needed during disposal

• Germs in narrow gaps are not reached

Checklist for Good Beekeeping Practice

Gas burners Gas burners produce temperatures of around 2,000°C and are therefore perfectly suitable for disinfecting wooden surfaces which afterwards should look slightly browned on top.

Yes

Hives and tools used are food safe* Paint used for coating is food safe* Hives and tools are cleaned regularly

Advantages

Hives and tools are disinfected especially after disease outbreak

• Suitable for wood and metal parts • Suitable for sanitation after AFB infestation

Materials for cleaning and disinfecting are bee safe and food safe*

Disadvantages • Less suitable for wooden parts coated with paint

Environmental protection and health and safety measures are to be respected if caustic soda is used

• Not suitable for plastic parts

*Certified as being food safe or at least non-hazardous to health

High-pressure cleaner Commercially available high-pressure cleaners dispense water with a pressure of up to 140 bar. A better cleaning result is obtained by using warm or hot water at the intake. An additional disinfecting effect is achieved by using a 3% soda solution.

BfD acknowledges www.diebiene.de as the source of this article

The next edition of Good Beekeeping Practice will discuss comb hygiene

Advantages • Suitable for nearly all kinds of material • Disinfecting in combination with 3% soda solution Disadvantages • Materials are strongly penetrated by moisture

For more bee related information see www.beesfordevelopment/portal

• Not suitable for sanitation after AFB infestation Caustic soda Caustic soda or soda lye is a strong alkali with acid-like effects. Because of the high risk of accidents, protective spectacles, chemical-splash gloves, apron and rubber boots are part of the equipment needed. The lye is always prepared in cold water and

The hot flame makes the remnants of wax and propolis melt.

Supers with food are also heated and scraped out afterwards 4

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SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING IN AFRICA from page 2

‘Traditional hive-making causes deforestation’

Varroa in Africa – is the best solution to do nothing?

All the statements in the list on page 2 raise further questions and demand evidence. Without evidence and clear analysis there is danger that we repeat mistakes and undermine sustainability.

The question was posed at the start of the discussion; however we did not subsequently address this. Varroa mites have been present in North Africa since 1980s, and were reported in South Africa in 1997 and Kenya in 2009.

Let us examine the first statement: ‘Traditional hive-making causes deforestation’. Why? Top-bar hives are made from timber and therefore trees are cut to make them too. However, the contributor explains that top-bar hives are ‘more productive’ therefore to achieve an equivalent yield - fewer hives and less wood are needed. Indeed a claim was made that top-bar hives are 5-7 times more profitable.

The first reports of Varroa in Kenya were followed quickly by calls for studies, treatments and solutions – but what is the most useful response? Comprehensive work on Varroa in Africa has been done by a number of researchers including Mike Allsopp in South Africa who has studied the spread of the mite, its impact on commercial apiaries, and on wild populations of honey bees in South Africa.

However, if this is true, why are beekeepers not easily adopting top-bar beekeeping? Why, according to contributors, is local-style beekeeping expanding rather than top-bar beekeeping? One reason put forward concerned the knowledge of the beekeepers – indeed this is plausible. Another explanation is economics. Top-bar hives are more expensive than local-style hives, and any increase in yield will be offset by the higher input costs. To take advantage of the moveable comb technology, colonies must be inspected and managed and this takes time, and time equals cost. Ecological issues also play a role. African honey bees Apis mellifera, in most environments, are highly mobile. They abscond when disturbed, for example after colony inspection, and loss of a colony, means loss of yield. It is by no means certain that top-bar hives are more profitable than local-style hives. It is essential that such claims are backed up by evidence. For beekeeping systems in Africa to adapt and change – yet remain productive, profitable and sustainable - all these questions must be addressed carefully and accurately.

Allsopp concludes that Varroa-tolerant honey bee populations are likely to develop in Africa provided intolerant colonies are allowed to die leaving the survivors to breed. In wild populations and where bees are not stressed, this process is likely to happen much faster than in managed populations. Treating colonies by attempting to kill the mites is the worst option as this delays the onset of tolerance and retains those genes responsible for colony susceptibility in the population. The most sustainable solution, according to Allsopp is to do nothing (Allsopp, 2011).

End note African beekeeping must follow its own path to sustainability. The ecology of the bees and their environment, and the socioeconomic context of the small-holder farmer in Africa are variable and complex. One contributor warned us against ‘hasty surveys’, an observation of great importance. Beekeeping is undervalued, marginalised as a sector with generalists (rather than specialists) doing survey work – with inadequate budget and time. This leaves us ignorant of many aspects of beekeeping systems. Without professional, high quality analysis and evaluations, it is hard to make recommendations and there is a danger of repeating mistakes.

Where local-style hives are made from logs - an alternative solution to local tree cutting might be to make hives from different materials. In Uganda for example, fixed comb hives are made from easily replenishable materials such as rattan, raffia, vines or bamboo. This ensures both economic and ecological sustainability.

And yet it is clear that sustainable beekeeping must have a future in Africa. This can be achieved where healthy and resilient populations of honey bees, living in the wild and in apiaries, deliver benefits to people and biodiversity.

Bee health and welfare One contributor identified deforestation, chemicals, pests and diseases as major threats to bee health. The solution to these problems can be divided into two different, but interacting, realms: 1) the environment and 2) genetic fitness of bee populations. Taking care of the environment is essential to sustainable beekeeping. The environment must be free of toxins and provide adequate nest sites and forage. To cope with pests and diseases, honey bees need healthy immune responses and well-adapted behavioural and morphological features. Absconding to escape predator attack is a well-developed behavioural feature of African honey bees. Local-style beekeeping systems are often designed to accommodate this trait. Maintaining many colonies in cheap hives means that the system as a whole can bear some abscondment: despite the losses, beekeeping remains sustainable.

Janet Lowore and Nicola Bradbear

References DIETEMANN,V., WERNER PIRK,C.W., CREWE,R. (2008) Is there a need for conservation of honeybees in Africa? Apidologie 40 (2009) 285–295.

The resilience of the population to cope with pests and diseases requires a diverse gene pool and the opportunity for genetic adaptation and freedom from contamination of the gene pool and by imports. “Conservation is needed to ensure healthy natural populations to act as a reservoir/buffer against loss due to occasional disease outbreaks and to sustain a beekeeping industry”. (Dietemann et al 2008).

Available online at www.apidologie.org/articles/apido/ abs/2009/03/m08180/m08180.html ALLSOPP,M (2011). Varroosis in South Africa. Presentation made to sub-regional training seminar on diseases of honey bees for OIE national focal points for animal disease notification to the OIE. Ezulwini, Swaziland: 14-17 June 2011. Available online at www.rr-africa.oie.int/en/news/20110618.html 5

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USING COMB STRIPS TO PRODUCE STRAIGHT TOP-BAR COMBS Wyatt A Mangum, Mary Washington College, 1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg VA 22401, USA PHOTOS © WYATT MANGUM

Keywords: beeswax, colony management, foundation strip In my previous article (BfDJ 107) I showed how to use foundation strips to get straight top-bar combs so that top-bar hive beekeepers can lift combs easily from their hives. However, sometimes foundation is unavailable, too expensive, or adulterated with cheaper wax such as paraffin - which should never be used in hives. Confronted by those problems, top-bar hive beekeepers can encourage their bees to build straight combs without resorting to complicated triangular wooden comb guides or even wooden strip comb guides. Sometimes bees do not follow these wooden comb guides, as beekeepers in the USA learned in the 1880s. In the worst cases, the bees build combs across bars in the hive, making it impossible to remove combs without breakage. Figure 3 Painting melted wax on to the top-bar and comb strip. In making the picture, the wax has cooled, turning yellow. In actual practice, bring the comb strip and top-bar together while the wax is still hot, appearing clear. The double boiler for melting the wax is to the left nests or hives in apiaries, where one can get old comb, preferably straight dark brood comb and it must be empty (in addition collect some lighter pure wax for attaching the comb strips to the topbars). In areas with known brood diseases, make sure the comb is not from a colony with disease or this could spread to the new colony. Figure 1 shows appropriate combs. Using a sharp knife, heated to slice through the wax more easily, cut the comb into strips. Make the strips about seven cells wide. We want to force the bees to build straight combs from wide strips (Figure 2), not narrow strips. The bees might ignore narrow strips and curve their combs away from them. The length of the strips should be about three inches (7.62 cm) less than the top width of the hive. The beginning of the comb should not touch the sides of the hive, which would encourage attachment (see below). Keep all shorter lengths of comb strips because these can be fitted together to form longer comb strips.

Figure 1 Comb for cutting into strips: even if the comb curves a little, it can be straightened

Sourcing In this article I describe another method to get straight combs, strongly attached to top-bars without any foundation strips or any of the wooden comb guides mentioned above. The woodworker simply cuts the top-bar flat on both sides. This method of obtaining straight top-bar combs uses the bees’ comb as a source of foundation. This can be from either wild

Attach the comb strips to top-bars with melted beeswax. Proper attachment of the comb strips to the top-bars is extremely important: when the bees build the combs, the cluster hangs from

Figure 2 A comb cut into strips: use a straight piece of wood to keep the knife cutting straight through the comb

Figure 4 Painting extra wax into the row of cells contacting the top-bar 6

Bees for Development Journal 108

Figure 5 Cutting away about half of the cell walls from the “foundation” of the comb (which is called the midrib in natural comb). This is not an exact cut: just leave some cell walls for the bees

Figure 7 Comb strips at the rear of a newly hived (package-bee) swarm in a top-bar hive. The bees have not yet prepared the comb strips away from the cluster seen at the top of the picture. Notice how the strips appear as dark strips of foundation

the comb strips so their attachment to the top-bars must be strong.

comb strips. To keep the combs straight, we need to give the bees straight edges for starting the new comb. Bees are good at working from edges. With a very sharp knife (maybe a single-edge razor blade, but be careful), slice off about half of the cell walls by making two cuts parallel to the “foundation” part of the comb (Figure 5). Those two cuts will be along the length of the comb strip on both sides of the “foundation” part of the comb. Cut about five cells deep into the comb. Tear off the loose cell walls, exposing the foundation of the comb covered by about half of the remaining old cell walls (Figure 6). The bees will quickly fix the ragged edges and in the process make them ready for new comb (Figures 7 & 8).

Painting Melt some beeswax in a double boiler, that is, the wax is not directly heated by the flame, but rather by a water jacket. To attach a comb strip to a top-bar, I use a small paintbrush and quickly “paint” some melted wax on to the top-bar and on to the side of the comb strip that will contact it (Figure 3). Then bring the two together making sure the middle of the comb, the foundation part, lies right along the centre length of the top-bar. If I cannot do one long strip at one time without the wax cooling too much, I break the strip into two pieces. I attach the pieces one at a time leaving no gaps between them. With the comb strips attached, paint some extra wax into the row of cells contacting the top-bar (on both sides of the comb), building up more strength to the attachment (Figure 4). When placing the comb strips on the top-bar do not let them touch the sides of the hive because that will encourage the bees to attach the comb to the sides of the hive. Instead let the comb strips start and end about 1.5 inches (3.81 cm) from the sides of the hive, the same recommendation for foundation strips.

Giving the bees small bits of comb to direct their construction further is an old idea, which has had variable success. The method described here adds a simple bit of subtle sophistication with the inclusion of a working edge to expose the “foundation” of the comb for much better success at producing straight combs (Figures 9, 10, and 11). Furthermore, the new comb attached to the old comb strip is incredibly strong compared to the other comb guides, foundation strips and the wooden guides (Figure 12). In addition, this method of using straight combs relies only on local natural materials, as one could obtain all starting comb from unmanaged colonies.

Critical part If we gave the bees the comb strips, all cut flat on their bottom sides, the newly built combs could wander from the straight

When using comb strips for straight combs and making top-bar hive bodies from plant stalks (Figure 13), one can make very low-cost hives, but with movable combs to build a successful beekeeping operation. Acknowledgments The author thanks Suzanne Sumner for her comments on the manuscript Further reading 1. www.TBHSbyWAM.com 2. Top-Bar Hive Beekeeping: wisdom and pleasure combined by the author (reviewed in BfDJ 106). 421 pages and over 350 colour photographs. Available for purchase at www.beesfordevelopment.org/catalog

Figure 6 Peeling off the cell walls, leaving a thick foundational edge including some cell walls. The foundation makers of the late 1800s discovered that bees need some of the cell wall, a little ridge, for them to begin comb construction. We are using that wisdom by leaving some of the cell walls in the bees’ natural pattern

3. Foundation strips for straight combs in top-bar hives (Mangum, W A) Bees for Development Journal 107 (2013) 4. Top-bar hives in the USA (Mangum, W A) Bees for Development Journal 58 (2001) 7

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Figure 8 The comb strips prepared as new comb starters by the bees. A period of cool weather made the bees abandon these strips and cluster around their brood at the front of the hive. The bees have rounded the strips like new comb. I have prepared special educational top-bar hives with removable rear end pieces, letting the camera inside the hive for unique views

Figure 11 Beautiful brood combs: about a week later, the combs of top-bar hive 24 are growing straight and strong

Figure 9 Opening top-bar hive 24, a new colony with combs made from old comb strips

Figure 12 Never do this: I am holding a new top-bar comb horizontally to show how strong it can be when made from comb strips. The beekeeper makes the strong attachment to the top-bar, and the bees are essentially extending the comb. So this situation is different from using foundation strips and wooden comb guides resulting in more fragile new combs that must be held vertically. I wonder if comb strips may be useful in places where top-bar hives must be moved over rough roads?

Figure 10 The combs are very straight

Figure 13 One of my top-bar hives made from weed stalks 8

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WARRÉ PEOPLE’S HIVE More comments relating to the article Warré People’s hive in Nigeria (BfDJ105) and discussion in BfDJ106 Gerhard Pape says nine bars in preference to eight. True it can be done, but the bees need a 12 mm space between combs to enable them to pass each other back to back when on adjacent combs.

pheromone distribution in the hive and create too many spaces around the walls which affect air circulation. Hence in many framed hives the bees build bridge comb to stop this free circulation of air.

A pupae only needs 6 mm of comb depth to grow and emerge, but the bees increase this to 12 mm when using it for storing honey, Therefore the width of a whole comb (front and back) is 24 mm when full of honey.

Research has shown that bees use vibrations for communication and that the frames dampen these communication channels. Again beekeepers using frames have found holes in the frame used as the dance floor, because the bees need the holes in framed comb to get the right acoustics for their messaging system.

So what do the bees need as a minimum? Well a bee space either side of a full comb of 12 mm. The full honey comb is 24 mm. Warré recommends top-bars 24 mm wide and 12 mm apart, which is the minimum the bees need for honeycomb and bee space.

If bees needed frames they would have invented them themselves: it is only humans that want them for their own convenience. Humans have caused enough damage to wildlife in their short period on earth and it is time to partially redress that effect.

Therefore, eight top-bars 24 mm wide in a 300 mm square hive give spacing of 12 mm between each bar, and 12 mm between the end bars and the hive wall. Therefore using eight bars, 24 mm wide is correct, not nine. I also disagree with the loss of the quilt and top-bar cloth: even here in the UK a strong colony will produce a fair amount of warm water vapour. Some of this vapour rises THROUGH the permeable top cloth (not plastic) and into the quilt. It permeates the quilt material (straw/shavings/hay) and condenses on the mouse board. It can then drip back on to the quilt, but will only dampen the top centimetre or so, the rest of the filling remains dry.

For a small inconvenience let the bees have what they want. ‘Manage’ them on a box by box basis. I have had Warré People’s hives for three years now, and would not change anything about Warré’s original design and methods. I know a few people have. A recent visit by the bee inspector revealed NO disease, virus or Varroa (I do not treat for Varroa). The only ‘treatment’ I use is to put two kilograms of candy on the hive in winter, laced with ONE drop of each essential oil of peppermint and lemon grass. Similarly if I need to feed in spring (I did in 2013) for each two kilograms of syrup I use the same ‘treatment’ ie ONE drop of each of the above – that is it.

This aids the circulation of the atmosphere in the hive whilst retaining the nest scent and heat. A further advantage of having a quilt is to reduce the temperature fluctuations in the hive as it helps to insulate the top of the hive from temperature extremes both hot and cold. The quilt filler is an insulator so the high temperatures are lower, and the low temperatures are higher, than if no quilt is present.

The other big plus for the bees is that they do not get disturbed at all (apart from the inspector’s visit) until honey gathering time (September, or spring if reserves are low). I also allow them to swarm naturally. The inspector must have been impressed. It was the first time he had seen a Warré People’s hive and how it operated. He ended up taking a spare one I had for his own apiary.

Thus it is easier for the bees - and less work, so less consumption of nectar/honey - to maintain the temperatures they need inside the hive.

You do not have to be an expert on bees to use these methods and let the bees get on with it. Just keep an eye on the entrance for unusual activity or deaths. Only then it may be time to act.

In addition, the design of Warré People’s hive double sloping roof aids in this process by first reflecting high radiant heat if painted in white gloss or other pale colour. Also, the cavity immediately below the sloping roof acts to circulate air: cooler air comes in at the side and leaves warmer through the top vents, thus reducing the amount of heat reaching the quilt.

Advice and further information is available at www.bee-friendly.co.uk www.naturalbeekeepingtrust.org www.warrebeehive.co.uk www.warre.biobees.com

Regarding frames, my personal view is that they interfere with the

John S Bell, Lytham St Annes, UK

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Bees for Development Journal 108

BEEKEEPING ECONOMICS IN UGANDA Janet Lowore and Nicola Bradbear, Bees for Development, 1 Agincourt Street, Monmouth NP25 3DZ, UK Keywords: fixed comb hive, frame hive, local style hive, top-bar hive

beekeeping systems. The results, which demonstrate a range of different scenarios, are shown in Table 1. In all cases a beekeeper who invests in local style hives will earn more from her/his investment than a beekeeper who invests in other systems.

In this article we demonstrate methods to calculate the economic returns from different beekeeping systems. The data is taken from a study undertaken by SNV in Uganda in 2012. Most farmers in Uganda are small-holders and invest their time, land and financial capital in a mix of crops and livestock for their family’s food and for sale. Beekeeping does not require land ownership and is compatible with many other forms of land use. In this article we are not considering the financial return on a hectare of land for beekeeping - instead we are considering the returns on financial investment and on the investment of time.

The data for the analysis was collected from beekeepers with some simplification in the model. For example, it was assumed that costs for smokers and bee suits were the same for each beekeeping system. Furthermore, the analysis shown in Table 1 does not consider the labour invested.

Labour investment Farmers need to consider how much they are earning from each day of their own labour. This is important because clearly it makes more sense to spend their labour time on those activities which yield the greatest returns. In the analysis of the UGX 1 million investment, the local style (fixed comb hive) beekeeper earns more

Financial investment The study used data collected from the field and calculated returns on a UGX 1 million (US$ 390, € 290) investment in different

Table 1 Return on an investment of UGX 1 million on different beekeeping systems in three regions of Uganda Beekeeping system (hives) Region

Fixed comb

South West

Min*

Max*

Min

Max

Min

Max

10,000

20,000

40,000

120,000

200,000

100

Honey yield per year (kg)

Selling price per kg (UGX)

6,000

10,000

6,000

10,000

6,000

10,000

7,800,000

10,000,000

1,800,000

1,666,667

1,500,000

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

10,000

20,000

40,000

120,000

200,000

100

Honey yield per year (kg)

Selling price per kg (UGX)

6,000

8,000

6,000

8,000

6,000

8,000

6,000,000

8,000,000

2,700,000

1,666,667

1,650,000

1,760,000

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

10,000

20,000

40,000

120,000

200,000

Cost of hive (UGX) No of hives purchased with UGX 1 million

Amount earned per year (UGX) Rwenzori Cost of hive (UGX) No of hives purchased with UGX 1 million

Amount earned per year (UGX) West Nile Cost of hive (UGX) No of hives purchased with UGX 1 million

Top-bar

Frame

100

Honey yield per year (kg)

Selling price per kg (UGX)

6,000

10,000

6,000

10,000

6,000

10,000

4,200,000

4,000,000

1,500,000

1,250,000

750,000

1,250,000

Min

Max

Min

Max

Min

Max

10,000

20,000

40,000

120,000

200,000

100

Honey yield per year (kg)

Selling price per kg (UGX)

7,000

8,000

7,000

8,000

7,000

8,000

7,000,000

4,000,000

1,750,000

1,000,000

875,000

800,000

Amount earned per year (UGX) Eastern Cost of hive (UGX) No of hives purchased with UGX 1 million

Amount earned per year (UGX)

*Minimum and maximum scenarios are shown, with a range of hive costs and honey prices UGX = Uganda shillings. US$ 1 = UGX 2,584; € 1 = UGX 3,440 (August 2013) 10

Bees for Development Journal 108

Figure 1 Return on UGX 1 million investment using various beekeeping systems in three regions of Uganda*

*This is calculated by taking the beekeepers’ estimate of the value of the time they spend divided by UGX 5,000, the average daily wage for agricultural work in Uganda. Combining the number of days’ labour, with the number of hives, and the income achieved with a UGX 1 million investment, it is possible to work out the return on a day’s labour with the different beekeeping systems. This is shown in Table 3 for the West Nile Region, using one of the cost scenarios. The same calculation can be repeated for the other regions and with maximum and minimum cost scenarios. Table 3 Return from a day’s beekeeping labour using the minimum cost scenario and data from the West Nile region of Uganda Hive

Figure 1 shows data from Table 1 using only the ‘max’ scenario figures.

than the frame hive beekeeper in income – however the local-style beekeeper has many more hives. One might assume that owning, managing and harvesting honey from more hives would place an unacceptable labour burden on the beekeeper. The question “is it worth the time?” is an essential consideration. In the SNV study, beekeepers were asked the costs of their own labour for the different beekeeping systems. Figure 2 shows that beekeepers estimated that they spent UGX 13,117 worth of their own time, per local style hive, compared to UGX 91,700 for a frame hive. According to beekeepers, the local style beekeeping system is far less time consuming than the frame hive system. Why? The answer lies in the type of beekeeping practised. To be productive a frame hive needs frequent inspection and management - unlike the local style hive which is left alone much of the time.

Amount earned per year (pale blue shade in Table 1) (UGX)

Fixed comb

Top-bar

Frame

4,200,000

1,500,000

750,000

Number of hives (dark blue shade in Table 1)

100

Days per hive (see Table 2)

2.6

11.1

18.3

Total days invested (hives x days per hive)

262.3

276.3

146.7

Amount earned per day invested in system (UGX)

16,011

5,428

5,112

Figure 3 Amount earned per day invested in different beekeeping systems using the minimum cost scenario from the West Nile region of Uganda (shown in Table 3)

Return on a day’s labour Using the data collected in the SNV study, and the average daily wage for agricultural work in Uganda, we can estimate how many days labour is needed to manage the different hive types. This is shown in Table 2. Figure 2 Beekeepers’ estimations of cost of hive management according to monetary cost of labour

Discussion The calculation using a UGX 1 million investment shows that fixed comb hives will give the best return on a financial investment. The low cost of the hives is the overriding factor here. Owning many cheap hives may be an effective way to produce a significant yield of honey, however the labour implications of the different systems must be considered. At first glance one may assume that owning many hives increases the time needed to manage them all, and harvest honey, but the analysis does not bear this out. This is because the type of hive determines the whole approach to beekeeping. Beekeepers using local style hives are following nature-based systems with little or no colony management and manipulation. Movable comb hives are considered “improved” because they allow colony management and manipulation. However, management and manipulation of colonies brings advantages and disadvantages. One advantage is a potential yield increase, one disadvantage is that it is time consuming. If a beekeeper works hard to exploit the possibilities created by movable comb technology – this will require a greater

Table 2 Estimate of time needed for different beekeeping systems in Uganda Estimate of the cost of labour to manage one hive Hive

Fixed comb

Days needed to manage Monetary value of time one hive in a year* (UGX) needed to manage one hive per year (UGX) 2.6

13,116

Top-bar

11.1

55,266

Frame

18.3

91,700

Bees for Development Journal 108

PHOTOS © BfD

time commitment than a local style hive system. Beekeepers are reporting that the increased yield is not enough to compensate for this extra labour, hence the low take up by beekeepers of these hives. The extra time demanded for management and manipulation - in the context of a small-holder farm in Uganda - does not pay off.

Conclusion The purpose of this article is not to just compare beekeeping systems, but to introduce the concept of how economic analysis can be used in beekeeping. It is a mistake to assume that a more complicated technology is always better. It is important to conduct an economic analysis following the types of methods shown here. The economic models introduced in this article can be improved by including factors such as hive durability and the cost of inputs (for example frames and foundation for frame hives). Whenever a new technology is introduced to small-holder farmers in Africa, the technology must be tried, tested and evaluated. So-called ‘improved’ beehives are being given, promoted or loaned to farmers in Africa without proper economic analysis of their alleged benefits. Reference SNV (2012) Appropriate hive technology: towards resolving the appropriate hive technology debate. A profile of farmers’ experiences, perspectives and voices in Uganda in 2012. Study by Dathine Consultants for SNV.

sometimes have to break out unripe honey comb to get to the ripe honey – and this can be a loss”.

STORY FROM UGANDA

In 2012 Asaph decided to expand his apiary through the purchase of 35 local style hives. He explained that local style hives are very inexpensive and this is why he chose them.

Asaph Ayatuhaire is an accomplished beekeeper with 20 years of experience in Uganda. Asaph keeps bees in top-bar and local style, fixed comb hives. He manages top-bar hives using movable comb technology: “The real benefit of top-bar hives is that I can select the ripe honey combs. I can leave unripe honey in the hive and harvest without damaging the brood. With local style hives I

One could conclude that top-bar hives are good, but not good enough to make the extra cost worthwhile. (above right) local style hives are covered with clay (below) Asaph (in foreground) in his apiary

Bees for Development Journal 108

Keywords: Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, Apis florea, Apis mellifera, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam The South East Asia Beekeeping Project aims to increase agricultural education and extension services throughout Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The project is co-ordinated jointly by Mean Chey University, Cambodia and the University of Sydney, Australia and involves at least six other universities throughout the region. The purpose is to increase regional educational collaboration in sustainable agriculture practices between the counterpart universities. Project emphasis is on sharing resources and experiences for teaching and training so that appropriate levels of environmentally friendly technology are deployed in family-sized mixed farming enterprises. The three major project components are: beekeeping, mushroom production and improved cropping practices.

The project group from the co-operating universities inspecting a trial sunflower plot in Samlout, northern Cambodia

Technical advisors and co-ordinators of the beekeeping component include Dr Yorn Try (Mean Chey University, Cambodia), Dr Pham Hong Thai (Hanoi University of Agriculture, Vietnam) and Sam Malfroy (Plant Health Australia). The group met in Mean Chey University at an international workshop in February 2013 to:

and theoretical training workshops. Information on honey bee classification, biology, queen rearing, selection and multiplication of colonies, seasonal bee management, nectar and pollen resources, and diseases and enemies of honey bees is included in the manual that will be released later in 2013.

• Review progress and teaching materials;

End products

• Meet researchers and teachers and make suggestions for further training;

In Cambodia the project is concentrating on beekeeping by villagers, farmers and local communities, as well as including it in the syllabi of the participating universities. This will allow honey to be produced and sold quickly and easily (before fermentation starts) to other village markets and not face competition from the high honey producing countries.

• Advise on any other requirements to enable the universities to set up colonies and practice and teach beekeeping with the Asian honey bee Apis cerana.

Beekeeping manual

Another end product that is being promoted is the pollination benefits from Apis cerana for a variety of widely grown crops, including longan and lychee. Training materials will describe pollination, the benefits, and how to manage pollinators.

The project is developing a beekeeping manual for villagers and students (in English, Khmer and Laotian), and delivering practical

Next steps A second workshop is planned for February 2014. By this time, it is envisaged that numbers of Apis cerana will have increased and be sufficient to run pollination trials in agricultural crops.

Acknowledgements The project is supported by funding from the Public Sector Linkages Programme of the Australian Government and Plant Health Australia.

Foragers from colonies of both the little honey bee Apis florea and the giant honey bee Apis dorsata foraging on sunflower in Samlout, northern Cambodia

Dr Pham Hong Thai from Hanoi University of Agriculture, Vietnam (left) and Sam Malfroy (Plant Health Australia) inspecting an Apis cerana colony at Mean Chey University, Sisophon, Cambodia 13

Bees for Development Journal 108

Tell us your story at www.beesfordevelopment.org/what-we-do/tell-yours

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD JAMAICA

CAMEROON

Seventeen participants from the Mearnsville/Auldayr Community Development Committee (CDC) in Westmoreland graduated in August after a three-month Apiculture and Business Management Training Programme. The training was made possible through a JMD$ 2 million grant (US$19,700; €15,000) under the Alternative Livelihood Grant Programme of the Government of Jamaica/European Union/UNEP Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction project. Group members have formed a business, The Western Pride Bee Farmers, and their operation will be managed by the CDC. With plans to make honey collected from their apiary a brand name in the parish, they will be working to increase their bee colonies gradually from 40 to 260 in the next five years.

ICENECDEV has established a community library in Molyko-Buea, supported by Book Aid International UK, Bees for Development, Books for International Goodwill (Rotary Club of Parole) and Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation. The ICENECDEV library will provide access to information for rural development organisations, schools, and many groups. Eric Fongoh, ICENECDEV, Buea

INDIA I work with the Naandi Foundation, an NGO based in a tribal area of Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh. We want to create a bee sanctuary in the region. We have begun a pollinator programme which is based on the re-introduction of the indigenous Asian honey bee Apis cerana. The pilot project started in June 2012 with a group of ten farmers from five villages who trained as beekeepers. An additional goal is to train farmers’ wives who may also become beekeepers and encourage other women to do the same.

Co-ordinator for the project at the National Environment and Planning Agency, Nichelle Oxford, said her organisation was happy to be part of the process as the project gives climate-vulnerable communities grants to invest in sustainable livelihoods. She said that by finding new ways of earning a living and giving the heavily exhausted natural resources a break, residents would be better prepared to cope with the potential impact of climate change.

Our project is expanding. We have not yet secured funding, but we have motivated farmers. We are planning a Pollinator Programme Workshop in September and have received a sponsored Resource Box* from BfD Trust for use. I started a blog ApiAnon to build a community for professional apiculturists and enthusiasts and to engage bee lovers from around the world: http://apicultureanonymous. wordpress.com

Source www.jamaica-gleaner.com

NIGERIA

Christelle Ledroit, Naandi Foundation, Hyderabad

From 5-12 July, 41 graduates (36 men, 5 women) from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) undertook eight days of Beekeeping Skill Acquisition Training to

*see page 20 for information on Resource Boxes

Farmers trained by the Naandi Foundation will pass beekeeping knowledge on to others through the farmer school 14

Due to deforestation the population of local bees has decreased dramatically. By catching a few swarms it is possible to increase the number of colonies to supply to future beekeepers. This will increase the population of indigenous pollinators and improve biodiversity, leading to improved pollination in the region and yield from fruit trees. In addition to the many ecological advantages, honey bees will of course

produce honey, which will be a new stream of income for farmers. The world honey supply remains tight and demand for honey remains high, and therefore honey prices may once again begin to climb. Honey bees have a positive impact on tribal livelihoods and positive ecological implications.

Mike Ukattah, back row right with Abraham Abado and the five NYSC women graduates who attended the Amachi Farms seminar. The lady centre front is Temitope from Oyo state who has been keeping bees for some time.

Bees for Development Journal 108

introduce them to beekeeping towards becoming self reliant in the absence of a job after their one year compulsory youth service. The introductory session was presented by Abraham Abado who I trained last year. Abraham won the state award as best batch B corp and was able to establish two colonies in his home apiary in Benue State. We introduced participants to the benefits of keeping bees using the Ten Good Reasons poster (one of several resources we received from BfD). Participants: • underwent a field exercise to identify bee loving plants followed by preparation of a flowering calendar • were advised on keeping bees in hives, setting up an apiary, and observing and working safely with bees • watched practical demonstrations using top-bar and frame hives from Amachi Farms and other beekeeping equipment including smokers and protective clothing • attended lectures on the value, packaging and uses of honey and storing and selling beeswax. At the end of the course every participant received a copy of BfDJ. Mike Ukattah, Head of Apiculture Unit, Amachi Farms, Abia State

Youths are regularly trained in beekeeping to assist them to move away from unemployment and poverty. This has proved to be an effective tool as more youths are getting involved. Jorafarm and Associates is a beekeeping non-profit organisation aimed at improving lives of young people. Ayoade Akande, Jorafarm and Associates, Gbongan, Osun State

ST LUCIA Thank you we received the BfD Resource Box for the start of our training. The programme will help existing beekeepers increase their productivity and expand their apiaries. We will train ten women and ten young people. Afterwards trainees will

receive five hives each. Thereafter all new members of the co-operative will be trained and receive hives at start up. Patricia Anthia Joshua, Agri-Enterprise Development Section, Ministry of Agriculture, Food Production, Fisheries & Rural Development, Castries

TOM SEELEY AT APIMONDIA CONGRESS On Wednesday 2 October in Kiev at the Apimondia International Apicultural Congress, Tom Seeley is giving the Keynote Lecture in the Plenary Session of Apimondia’s Scientific Commission Beekeeping for Rural Development. The title of his lecture is Honey bees in the wild. In this paper, he will compare the ecologies and life styles of free-living and managed colonies, and discuss lessons we can learn from knowing how honey bees are living successfully in the wild – as we strive to develop systems of beekeeping that are profitable and sustainable. As a Patron of BfD Trust, Tom Seeley will attend the Trust Reception on 2 October. Supporters of BfD Trust attending the Congress are welcome. Please contact BfD for details Honeybee democracy by Tom Seeley is available for purchase at www.beesfordevelopment.org/catalog 15

Bees for Development Journal 108

BOOK SHELF

Buy these titles at www.beesfordevelopment.org/catalog or at our shop in Monmouth, UK

A sting in the tale Dave Goulson 2013 256 pages Hardback £17.99 (US$28; €21) G445 Dave Goulson is a respected researcher and conservationist. The plight of the bumblebee is serious: over the last 80 years in the UK, populations have dropped and two species have become extinct. Goulson’s effort to reintroduce the short haired bumblebee to the UK is the central story in this book which also introduces the reader to the life of the bumblebee and of the bee researcher. Goulson explains the burgeoning worldwide business based on bumblebees, and the harm it is causing. He shares research into the effects that intensive farming has on bee populations. This is a highly enjoyable, readable, topical and interesting book.

Keeping bees and making honey Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum 2013 2nd edition 144 pages £15.99 (US$24; €19) B125 A revised edition of this beautifully produced, concise guide for people who are new to beekeeping and what it entails. The photographs are wonderful. While explaining that the honey bee colony is a superorganism, the text describes the conventional approach to frame hive beekeeping as practised in the UK.

A beekeeper’s progress John Phipps 2013 224 pages £15.99 (US$24; €19) P125 John Phipps has spent most of his life earning a living from bees and in his excellent new book, describes his beekeeping odyssey from the UK to his current home nestled in mountainous southern Greece. He has learnt much about bees during his life. He describes characters, skills, methods, bees – an abundance of knowledge gained from travelling and experiencing beekeeping in many countries, and editing the well-known Beekeepers Quarterly magazine. His book contains fresh content that will interest new and experienced bee enthusiasts, with an abundance of useful snippets – for example that beeswax imported from Africa to Europe is free from 200 of the chemicals most likely to be found in the environment. Nice, near the close of the book, to read that after 40 years of beekeeping the author is now departing from conventional frame hives to use top-bar hives, and enjoying the simplicity of harvesting beautiful and natural honey combs.

The spirit of the hive Robert E Page Jr 2013 226 pages Hardback £20 (US$30; €24) P905 Robert Page is as a world renowned honey bee geneticist. In this book he explains how colony activity and co-ordination occur naturally as worker bees react to stimuli in their environment. Page explores the genetic and physiological mechanisms working at individual bee and colony level. Although the word features only rarely in the book, Page acknowledges that the concept of superorganism is deeply involved in his work.

Three cells of honeycomb Francis G Smith 2013 reprint first published 1994 247 pages £15 (US$22; €20) S515 The title of this book derives from Francis Smith’s life and beekeeping work in three different continents: Europe (UK), Africa (Tanzania) and Australasia (Western Australia). The story begins as World War II ends, with Smith leaving the British army and becoming a forestry student in Aberdeen. Upon graduation he was immediately appointed by the Colonial Office as Beeswax Officer in Tanganyika (as Tanzania was known at that time), where he remained for 13 years. At the independence of Tanzania he moved to work in Western Australia as Senior Apiculturalist and 12 years later became Director of National Parks. Among many achievements, Smith identified and named two races of honey bees Apis mellifera monticola and Apis mellifera litorea. The book reveals an interesting contrast between life then and now. Smith and his family faced plenty of challenges along the way, and a picture emerges of a good life, with plenty of resources available. Readers currently working in beekeeping development will be interested to read of work underway 45 years ago.

Alphabetical guide for beekeepers Ken Stevens 2012 948 pages £35 (US$52; £46) S999 A very idiosyncratic dictionary compiled by Mr Stevens over his 70+ years of beekeeping. With nearly 1,000 pages this is a significant amount of information, and an abundance of facts. 16

Bees for Development Journal 108

The observation hive Karl Showler 2013 3rd edition 90 pages £13 (US$19; €17) S405 Since the first edition of this unique book in 1978, beekeeping in the UK has undergone resurgence. Interest has increased in watching how bees live and this book provides all the information needed to achieve and maintain a successful observation hive.

Wild hope Andrew Balmford 2012 255 pages Hardback £18 (US$27; €22) B445 Conservation is tough and we are faced daily with headlines about damage and destruction of the natural world. In the first chapter Andrew Balmford explains that he wanted to “explore the glimmers of good news” and not concentrate on the doom and gloom. Each chapter concentrates on a different problem and the strategies devised to fight and try to win the battle for conservation.

Honey crafting Leeann Coleman and Jayne Barnes 2013 160 pages £12.30 (US$19; €14) C230 This book contains instructions for making beeswax candles of various types, and using honey as an ingredient in 25 different types of soaps and body creams, and also 45 food and drink recipes. Intended for a North American readership – recipes are given in cups and ounces. Prices in US$ and € are approximate and for guidance only Pollinators are in the news. Bees, birds, bats, butterflies, beetles and many small mammals, are involved in pollinating plants used for human and other species’ food. Some pollinator species have seen a 90% decline in their populations over the last decade, according to the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, a collaboration of 120 organisations in Canada, Mexico, and USA that promotes the role that pollinators play in food systems. In addition to bringing awareness to the importance of pollinators and their plight, the idea of encouraging creativity and providing a venue for artists of all types, abilities and experience blossomed. Art of Pollination, a book of stunning art submitted from artists around the USA, is a project of the Chugach Arts Council to bring awareness to the plight of pollinators, to inspire creativity and to benefit the Council. The book can be viewed online at http://www. magcloud.com/browse/issue/555950 Marie Wagner, Executive Director, Chugach Arts Council

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Bees for Development Journal 108

LOOK AHEAD BRAZIL

I° Congresso de Apicultura e Meliponicultura da Amazônia 20-22 October 2013, Palmas Further details http://apicultura.to.gov.br/

CANADA

Apitherapy Conference 2013 12 October 2013, Comfort Inn, Surrey, BC, Further details www.honeybeecentre.com

COSTA RICA

3rd International Symposium on D Multi-Strata Agroforestry NE Systems with O perennial cropsTP S 16-20 September PO 2013, Turrialba

MALAYSIA

2nd Global Conference on Entomology 8-12 November 2013, Sarawak Further details www.gce2013.com

SOUTH KOREA

APIMONDIA 44th International Apicultural Congress 15-20 September 2015, Deajeon Further details will appear here

TANZANIA

Apimondia Symposium: African bees and beekeeping 11-16 November 2014, Arusha Further details will appear here

TURKEY

12th Asian Apicultural Association Conference 2014 Further details will appear here

Conwy Honey Fair 13 September 2013, North Wales Further details www.conwybeekeepers.org.uk 82nd National Honey Show 24-26 October 2013, Weybridge Further details www.honeyshow.co.uk

UKRAINE

APIMONDIA 43rd International Apicultural Congress 29 September - 4 October 2013, Kiev Further details www.apimondia2013.org.ua/

ZIMBABWE

4th ApiTrade Africa Event 6-11 October 2014, Harare Further details www.apitradeafrica.org/ apiexpo-africa-2014

LEARN AHEAD CHILE

Diploma in Organic Beekeeping September, November 2013 Further details cetbiobio@gmail.com

BfD UK Courses The People’s Hive – a Masterclass with David Heaf 14 and 15 September 2013* Strengthening livelihoods in developing countries through beekeeping 6 December 2013 Monmouth Sustainable beekeeping 21-22 September 2013* *Ragman’s Lane Permaculture Farm, Gloucestershire

BfD Beekeepers Safaris 2014 Trinidad & Tobago Turkey 3-13 February 14-26 June Vietnam Grenada September* October* *dates to be confirmed

Further details

www.beesfordevelopment.org

If you want notice of your conference, workshop or meeting to be included here and on our website send details to Bees for Development, address on page 20

NOTICE BOARD FUNDING FROM FAO TeleFood Special Fund Beekeepers’ groups and associations may apply for project funding of up to US$10,000. Request documents should include a brief description of project objectives, proposed food production or income-generating activities, work plan, number of participants, detailed list of inputs with cost estimates and reporting arrangements. See www.fao.org 1% for Development Fund Small grants enable community based beekeeping projects in developing countries to get off the ground. Applicants must define clear objectives and describe how they are to be attained. Email One-Per-Cent-Fund@FAO.org GRANTS TO SCIENTISTS IFS Research Grants are for citizens of a developing country who are scientists under 40 years of age, with at least a Master’s or equivalent degree or research experience and attached to a university, national research institution or research-orientated NGO in a developing country. See www.ifs.se AWARD A professional development programme that strengthens the research and leadership skills of African women in agricultural science, empowering them to contribute more effectively to poverty alleviation and food security in sub-Saharan Africa. See www.awardfellowships.org GRANT Non-profit or cultural organisations can apply for funding from the Commonwealth Foundation to support activities including training courses, workshops, conferences, exchanges and study visits to promote international or intercultural exchange, co-operation and sharing of skills, knowledge and ideas between people from developing Commonwealth countries. Conditions apply. See www.commonwealthfoundation.com COMPETITION Vita (Europe) Ltd is calling on beekeepers internationally to enter its photographic competition. Deadline for entries 20 October 2013. See www.vita-europe.com 18

Bees for Development Journal 108

NOTICE BOARD AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL The oldest English language beekeeping publication in the world. See a digital copy and subscribe at[end] www. americanbeejournal.com BEE CRAFT UK Beekeeping Journal for beginners and seasoned apiarists View a digital copy and subscribe on line at www.bee-craft.com BEE CULTURE The magazine of American beekeeping. 140 years experience. Today’s techniques. Tomorrow’s ideas. US$15 for a digital subscription. See www.BeeCulture.com ULUDAG BEE JOURNAL News, practical information and research articles. Published quarterly in Turkish with English summaries. See www.uludagaricilik.org ADVERTISE IN BfDJ A great opportunity to reach thousands of our readers. Various size ads available. See www.beesfordevelopment.org/journal/ advertising COPYRIGHT You are welcome to translate and/or reproduce items appearing in BfDJ as part of our Information Service. Permission is given on the understanding that BfDJ and author(s) are acknowledged, BfD contact details are provided in full, and you send us a copy of the item or the website address where it is used.

Bees for Development Journal Edition 108 - September 2013

Articles inside

Back Cover

Notice Board

Look and Learn Ahead

Bookshelf

Tom Seeley at Apimondia

News around the World

South East Asia beekeeping project

Beekeeping economics in Uganda

Warré People’s Hive

Practical beekeeping – straight top-bar combs

Practical beekeeping – hygiene in colony management

Sustainable beekeeping in Africa

In Issue 108

Dear friends