Bees for Development Journal 114: March 2015
Learning curve for beekeepers in Kajo Keji This email exchange (July 2013 to November 2014) between Chris Douglas, of Lone Star - Africa Works and Bees for Development tells the experiences of supporting beekeepers in South Sudan. Chris Douglas This year we launched a beekeeping programme in Central Equatoria State. We organised training on building top-bar hives, and delivered a ‘starter’ kit including bee suits and strainers. I believe beekeeping is vitally important for developing an ecologically and economically-sustainable agriculture sector in South Sudan; and a good way for communities (primarily in the “Green Belt” areas) to earn income. How can we share information and explore ways to advance beekeeping here? BfD We are emailing you our Technical Bee Notes – a short, regular mailout with news and updates in the bee world. We encourage you to subscribe to Bees for Development Journal, where you can read articles written by other practitioners in the developing world. We recommend
also the TECA beekeeping exchange forum: www.teca.fao. org/group/beekeeping-exchangegroup. Chris Douglas The outbreak of violence in South Sudan is very worrying. Fortunately our beekeeper friends in Kajo Keji are unharmed, although scared, and the unrest has made things highly expensive in the markets and disrupted cell phone communication. We want to move ahead with our beekeeping work in the area, especially now when people need to see that good news and good works are still possible, even with violence in other parts of the country.
Moisture content of honey varies according to forage sources and humidity with the ripe honey? This will raise the moisture content. If there is crushed brood mixed with the honey this will affect moisture content. Honey of 19% and 20% will not ferment readily but if exposed to more moisture will do so. If honey is stored in containers that are not air or water tight, moisture is absorbed from the air. Different honeys have different ‘normal’ moisture contents. The content you measured may be normal for local forage sources and sugar compositions.
I have two questions. First, the moisture in the honey harvested by our beekeepers tested higher than I expected: 19 and 20%. Any ideas? Secondly, I spoke with the State Minister of Agriculture who said he is interested in adding regulations/ laws concerning bees and beekeeping. Are there chemicals or practices they should prohibit or regulate, besides banning import of bees from other countries? BfD HONEY Is there any chance that unripe honey has been harvested
PHOTOS © CHRIS DOUGLAS
Lone Star – Africa Works assists beekeepers in Kajo Keji, South Sudan
REGULATIONS should be introduced only to resolve problems so it is important to fully understand the threat you are facing. For example, if beekeepers do not use veterinary medicines for their bees, regulations concerning these are irrelevant. Banning the importation of bees, and of second hand equipment, would be useful to prevent the introduction of non-local genotypes, diseases and problems. Another concern would be enforcement of regulations. Where resources are scarce, establishing a regulatory authority for beekeeping might not be a priority: other issues – education, market-related problems, promotion and training might be more important. Chris Douglas Thank you again for the help. Until we can get more airtight buckets, we are covering the mouths of the jerry cans with plastic sheeting in addition to the screw-on cap, for an extra seal. Honey harvest in Kajo Keji begins in March and ends in May.
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