Beekeeper Shide Gete lives in Wonjeta, Amhara, Ethiopia – see right
Issue No 109
December 2013
In this issue page Practical beekeeping – comb hygiene......................................... 3–4 Pasture use for beekeepers in Kyrgyz Republic ............................... 5 Interview with Tecla David................. 6 Zoom in on Mozambique.................. 7 Japanese technique in Mongolia....... 8 Recent research......................... 9, 17 Beekeeping economics II................ 10 Trees Bees Use............................... 12 News around the World.................. 13 Bookshelf....................................... 16 Look and Learn Ahead.................... 18 Notice Board............................. 18, 19
Dear friends Our cover shows beekeeper Mr Shide Gete from Wonjeta in Amhara State in Ethiopia.Mr Shide is holding combs harvested from his top-bar hives – he received training in top-bar beekeeping from Tilahun Gebey of Bees for Development Ethiopia, during 2013. With the help of the local government development agent Mr Mengistu Nibret, who has also been trained by Tilahun, Mr Shide harvested these combs in December 2013. Tilahun emphasises that constant brood comb renewal is important to maintain bee hygiene and health. Honey stored by bees in brood combs tends to fetch a lower price in local markets where consumers tend to shun the darker combs. However the local honey cooperative has been trained to buy honey stored in darker combs – provided that the honey is perfectly ripe and sealed. When asked if he would be willing to mentor beginner beekeepers from within his community, Mr Shide said, “Yes, the more honey that is produced locally the better it is for everyone as this way we can attract bulk buyers”. The topics mentioned by Mr Shide neatly introduce two items covered in this edition of the Journal. On the page opposite, Dr Wolfgang Ritter explains the great importance of ensuring fresh, clean comb for the brood nest in frame hives. On pages 10–11, Martin Jones and I discuss the need for beekeepers’ producer organisations to do the calculations necessary to understand the most cost effective ways of selling their honey – packing and selling in 500 g jars is commonplace, but may not be necessarily the most profitable route to market. We do apologise that you are receiving this edition very late, due to some production problems. However surely not too late to wish you a New Year filled with lots of bees, flowers and honey!
PHOTO © VINCENT HAKIZIMANA
COVER PHOTO © BfD
Bees for Development Journal 109
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 Charity 1078803) 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
Vincent Hakizimana is a beekeeper in southern Rwanda. More on page 15 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
