Work funded by ODA

Information Officer for Tropical Apiculture

This appointment at IBRA, funded by the Overseas Development Administration, UK, is to continue for at least another 6 months. At a time of cutbacks in Government spending, this is very good news. The extension recognizes the great demand from developing countries for scientific and technical information om a whole variety of subjects to do with apiculture.

During my first year I have answered over 540 letters, from 72 countries altogether, many of which asked a large number of questions. They ranged from how to start in beekeeping to detailed enquiries on the state of the international honey and beeswax markets. Where you write to ask for information please make your query specific, and as clear as you can. If I understand what information you need, I can reply quickly. Put if I am asked, for instance, “how honey is produced" I do not know if you mean what bees do, or what beekeepers should do, either of which is a very large subject. I have enjoyed meeting with the many visitors to IBRA from the tropics, and hearing direct from them of their experience and problems in beekeeping.

I have gone the preliminary work in setting up an information file for each developing country where Lees are known to be kept (about 150). I have also started to compile leaflets giving information that is commonly requested from these countries. Three titles are new available: “Wax moths and their control, A selection of visual aids and Correspondence and home study courses in apiculture. These are in English only at present, but we are making arrangements for translations in French and Spanish. The leaflets will be sent free of charge to addresses in developing countries. elsewhere a nominal charge is made towards handling and postage: 0.50 or USS1.10 (by air Mail 1.09 or US$2.2%) for up to 4 leaflets.