BEEKEEPING
&
DEVELOPMENT 47
There were abundant opportunities to learn about the state of Asian apiculture: 55 oral papers were presented, and 62 posters submitted. In addition there were impromptu talks, debates, videos and meetings of groups sharing special interests. The Proceedings of the Conference will soon be available, published by ICIMOD.
CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS Throughout Asia, great strides are being made in modernising beekeeping with indigenous and exotic honeybee species in different eco-geographic zones. However, due to constraints such as lack of basic infrastructure, research, training and extension facilities, the beekeeping industry in Asia still requires considerable support.
Clation (AAA) Internationa
@
of beekeeping in Asia, co-ordinated and systematic efforts should be made to establish a training and research centre for Asian bees and beekeeping in the region. Such a centre should have a continuing, internationally-funded programme in beekeeping training and research.
March 25-27,1998 :
AAA resolves that for further development
snvention Centre.Kathmand
The beekeeping project in ICIMOD has made significant progress on various aspects of beekeeping with Apis cerana. These include the comparative advantage of Apis cerana as a pollinator; bee botany and
melissopalynology; genetic diversity research; appropriate technologies such as the straw hive and Jumla top-bar hive; and farmer-participatory extension in beekeeping. @
AAA resolves that
e@
AAA
Apis cerana is a vital component of our natural ecosystem. However, natural populations of Apis cerana are suffering precipitous decline and the species is threatened with extinction. Left to right: Professor Mitsuo Matsuka, President of AAA; Mr Egbert Pelinck, Director General of ICIMOD; and Professor Siriwat Wongsiri, Vice-President of AAA. As Professor Wongsiri accepts the AAA plaque, he also accepts responsibility for the next AAA Conference to be in Thailand. PHOTOGRAPH
KEIKO NAKAMURA
Keeping this in view, conservation of Apis cerana is essential for the maintenance of biodiversity. e@
AAA resolves that international organisations encourage projects to conserve this genetic resource by promoting Apis cerana beekeeping.
some parts of the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, productive sub-species and geographic ecotypes of Apis cerana with commercial potential similar to Apis mellifera have been identified. In
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AAA resolves that further research work on Apis cerana: genetic diversity, selection
these significant findings be tested and disseminated widely. recommends to the Member Countries that policies on fair marketing of bee products are formulated and implemented to the benefit of farmers and users.
Considering that beekeeping is an important, income-generating, eco-friendly activity and the important role that honeybees play in boosting the productivity of mountain crops and conserving biodiversity through pollination, beekeeping R&D programmes fit very well into ICIMOD's mandate and assigned functions. e
AAA resolves that ICIMOD should continue the Research, Training and Extension Support Programme in its participating countries at regional level.
Conference delegates discuss participatory methods of extension
and testing based on economic and biological characters be continued under similar environmental conditions on a regional basis.
Design a logo for the
“Promote
Apis
cerana!”
group
See page 16 *
EIGHT
Beekeeping extension is a process by which skills and knowledge are exchanged. There is a need for greater understanding of how best to carry out this process.
e AAA resolves that an extension network be formed.
A Bees for Development publication
