BEEKEEPING
&
DEVELOPMENT
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KENYA RUAI BEEKEEPERS: A COMMERCIAL SUCCESS Ruai derives its name from the Kikuyu word for the whistling thorn, Acacia drepanalobium. The Ruai Beekeepers’ Co-operative was set up in 1977 by commercial rancher, Mr Fernandes and a few other enterprising individuals as a local, community-based initiative. a
the early 1970s the Canadian Government (CIDA) was persuaded by the Kenya Ministry of Livestk to assist in the development of beekeeping extension. It was inted to provide both the advice and facilities thought necessary for the modernisation and expansion of traditional apiculture in rural areas. The scheme set up numerous co-operatives, but Ruai is the only one still operating successfully. CIDA supplied material and financial assistance for Ruai members to build a small refinery and install essential In
equipment. Ruai now has 800 members mostly operating log hives. Between 6 and 8 tonnes of honey and approximately 1.2 tonnes of wax are harvested annually. The bulk of these products derived locally and the remainder purchased from honey collection centres established elsewhere The Co-operative employs two individuals on a full-time basis, consistently makes a profit, and has a turnover of up to USS5,150 per year. Ruai is renowned for its high quality honey, saddle soap and furniture polish. Beekeeping field days are held frequently. Ruai has recently developed a frame for the Kenya top-bar hive and this is attracting local interest. The Co-operative’s extraordinary success is largely due to the integrity and commitment of its founder members including Mr Fernandes who
still provides free transport, has taught the employees book-keeping and banking skills, and helps with marketing. Mark Luckhurst
PROJECT NEWS Baraka Beekeeping Project was initiated in May 1994 by Baraka Agricultural College, Molo, Kenya, with the help of Voluntary Service Overseas and the Overseas Development Administration, UK. The Project aims to build on the College's already substantial commitment to the development of Kenyan beekeeping. The College has manufactured Kenya top-bar hives and other bee equipment since 1978 and has been training farmers, agriculture students and extension workers in modern beekeeping methods for many years.
Since the establishment of the Project a honey and beeswax purchasing and refining facility has been set up to assist farmers market their bee products, and also to improve training in the processing and marketing of honey and beeswax An already existing beekeeping programme in Mau Forest with forest-dwelling ‘Ndorobo’ beekeepers has been intensified and expanded to include farming areas surrounding .
the College For information on either our short one-week courses beekeeping or our 18-month Certificate Course in
agriculture please contact Baraka Agriculture College, Box 52, Molo, Kenya Tom Carroll
The Ruai Co-operative employs two people: here they fill and label honey jars The
furniture polish and saddle soap are also on
!
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TOBAGO The Tobago Apicultural Society received funding from the Royal Netherlands Embassy to undertake improvement in the quality of honey marketing, the manufacture of beeswax foundation, a queen rearing programme, and education and training. Before embarking on the programme we undertook a survey of the industry to determine its status and needs. A 45 point
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