Bees for Development Journal 113
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD Achievements
INDIA
• Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Honey Processing and Sales Centre is now in operation and a clerk, watchman and three labourers employed; • The Union is the main buyer of honey harvested by member co-operatives with honey production at 9.6 tonnes returning RWF18,597,637 (US$26,935; €21,772) back to the community since 2013; • The Union has sold RWF11,281,100 (US$16,339; €13,208) of honey and RWF791,800 (US$1,147; €927) of beeswax candles; • Forty-four bee farmers received training on honey quality control and 56 on using top-bar hives, with the introduction of 100 top-bar hives across the Park; • Information provided by beekeepers has led to the apprehension of seven illegal honey collectors, who under supervision have formed Rwabidege Ex-Poacher Beekeepers Co-operative and been allocated 42 top-bar hives; • Capacity building for eight community members in governance, management, leadership and business understanding; • The Union is registered at national level. Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe bee products are certified by the Rwanda Bureau of Standards and 90% of the honey meets the Bureau’s quality requirements; • Marketing of bee products has 19 sales points (customers); • The number of bush fires in the Park has been reduced.
Congratulations to Professor L R Verma on this prestigious award in recognition of his work and dedication to the cause of apiculture in Meghalaya, India
RWANDA Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union is working with 13 co-operatives around Nyungwe National Park. The Union’s purpose is to collect, package and market honey from the Members, and to prevent bush fires in and around the Park.
Challenges • Geographic location of the co-operatives around the forest perimeter; • Climate change; • Illegal honey collectors; • Ageing beekeeping population; • The co-operatives have pledged to sell 9 tonnes of honey to the Union in 2014. It must be ensured this reaches market; • The Union is not yet able to cover some costs such as large items of equipment and depreciation on buildings; • Wild animals destroy hives searching for honey; • The honey storage room is too small.
Purpose • Co-ordinate and provide training to members of co-operatives at an affordable cost • Assist beekeepers in obtaining equipment at a good price • Buy honey from co-operatives and sell on their behalf • Help establish new co-operatives • Manage the Kitabi honey collection and processing facility • Act as a link for beekeepers in Nyungwe National Park and the outside market • Ensure proper management and explore ways to ensure financial sustainability for the Union.
Next steps • Explore further markets for bee products and participate in trade fairs; • Consolidate good book-keeping, and accounting practices; • Annual visits by two committee members to each co-operative.
Union members Name Coabisetwu Coaseki Kuaga Kodabu Kauka Dukwizuburyohe Kauki Codape Coduru Co-operative Intimtirwa Co-operative Impuzaruvumvu Kaubwe Coasecya Total
Age of beekeepers 18-25 26-35 36-45 >45 0 49 5 1 2 138 16 2 8 105 30 0 9 1 4 21 9 72 23 2 5 40 35 8 7 31 10 0 5 64 32 2 7 124 96 15 29 26 8
Female 6 4 15 4 17 4 9 25 22 25
Male 48 153 130 10 108 78 47 76 207 53
Total 54 157 145 14 125 82 56 101 229 78
1
7
141
18
26
141
167
0 4 56
9 10 107
31 71 893
3 35 315
3 3 163
40 117 1208
43 120 1371
The team from Rwanda on their stand at the 4th ApiTradeAfrica Event held in October (see pages 10 and 11). Rwanda won the bid host the next Event in 2016 12
