BEEKEEPING
&
DEVELOPMENT 48
SUSTAINABLE BEEKEE! by Werner Lohr,
The objective of this study was to create higher awareness in those who are engaged in the planning and implementation of beekeeping projects in developing countries regarding the transfer of beekeeping technology and know-how from the North to the South; and the integration of local micro enterprises (the so-called “informal sector”) for the production of inputs for beekeeping, in order to assure sustainability of projects.
Methods
Project planning: bees and beekeeping
API-Promo GTZ analysed 35 beekeeping projects, beekeeping activities, and beekeeping components as a part of integrated projects carried out by different aid organisations during the past 20 years in Africa, Latin America and Asia. This analysis was carried out by studying project documents and literature, interviewing people involved, and visiting projects.
techniques were the main focal! points rather than the people: their sex, age, socio-economic status, potentials, capabilities and interests in beekeeping.
Economic viability: income people might earn through beekeeping was highly over-estimated. Natural resources and the absorbing capacity of markets were not
Findings
properly analysed.
About 75% of the evaluated projects had a very low impact on the local beekeeping industry. 35% failed totally to have any impact. Most projects worked well as long as the consultants or volunteers looked after the implementation. In most cases this changed immediately after their departure or when projects were phased
Time horizons of projects and backstopping: the time of implementation
out.
Among the many reasons identified for the failure of projects, the following are of special interest: @
Sector policies at national level:
in most
countries governments showed, and still show, only a little interest in supporting the beekeeping industry; @
Feasibility studies: traditional beekeeping systems and their importance in the rural economy, and social value were not profoundly analysed;
was too short, and monitoring and follow-up were not actioned correctly.
Professionality of supporting agencies: in most cases extensionists are not practical
beekeepers, but solely theoreticians and modernists. This results in low confidence among rural people and ineffective extension services.
Technology and know-how transfer: most projects concluded right at the beginning that existing traditional systems were not apt to develop the industry, and concentrated on changing these in a short time and in big steps. The degree of applied appropriate technologies was very low.
1,000’s of reasons for being at the 67th National Honey Show
e Natio |
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Trophies and Cash Prizes Ingenious Inventions Stunning Displays Lots of Lectures Famous Faces Top Traders The Best of Friends
Show your Best Honey to the World at the Best Honey Show in the World 26th, 27th & 28th November 1998 at Kensington Town Hall, London Full details from:
TEN
API-Pre
Reverend F Capener 1 Baldric Road, Folkestone CT20 2NR, United Kingdom tel & fax: +44 (0) 1303 254 579 e-mail: nathon@amigabee.org.uk Registered Charity 233656
A Bees for Development publication
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