News

ARMENIA

Non-wood forest products generate 20% of the total revenue of the Forest Service in Armenia. In 1996 just over two tonnes of honey were harvested, generating 6.1% of the income gained from the main agricultural and non-wood forest products from the Forest Service. The largest source of income was from Christmas trees: 19.2% of total income.

Source: FAO Non-wood News, 5, March 1998

BERMUDA

The worst problem for the 25 members of the Bermuda Beekeepers’ Association is that every square metre of the island is used for hotel gardens, golf courses and the development of other tourist facilities. Randolph Furbert keeps many of his 400 Langstroth hives on Bermuda’s small islands. Other problems for the bees are ants and two predators, the bird Pitangus sulphuratus and the giant toad Bufo marinus. There are two honey flows in the year. The autumn flow is the most productive and is based on the Brazilian pepper tree. Other forage includes banana and paw-paw, and fruit farmers are eager to have hives in their orchards.

Providing that nectar-producing forage is grown on the artificial landscapes the future looks bright for (so far) Varroa-free Bermuda. John Kinross

GHANA

The Gwira Banso Project is forest- management project that brings together three stake-holders in the timber industry: the farmers on whose lands the trees are harvested, the timber extraction company, and the timber products dealers from Denmark. The project operates within the timber conservation area for Ghana Primewood Products covering 16,600 hectares of land in the tropical rainforest of the western region. The project aims at developing new forms of sustainable natural resource management with active participation of local farmers. There are long-term plans to obtain continuous supplies of timber in addition to the production of non-timber forest products such as honey, beeswax, kola nuts and black pepper

The project discourages the cultivation of cash crops such as cocoa where forest has been cleared, and encourages the planting of important timber tree species which on maturation are sold to the timber company by the farmers. This increases the farmers’ earnings per planted area. Shade-tolerant crops (kola nuts and black pepper) are encouraged for intercropping with food crops including cassava, cocoyam and plantain.

The farmers are happily being introduced to beekeeping. Many have always been honey hunters but agree on the need to conserve bees through beekeeping. The project co-ordinator, Eddie Prah says that the marketing of the farmers’ produce has been planned, and prompt payment will be made by the buyers. There are plans to build honey buying and processing centres within easy reach of the farmers.

Kwame Aidoo, B&D's Correspondent in Ghana

KENYA

Nyuki Newsletter This is the Bulletin of the National Beekeeping Station. It is an excellent publication full of news and information. Volume II, No bring news of the revitalisation of the Kenya Beekeepers’ Association. The Editor of Nyuki Newsletter is Mr Muruiki

The Beekeeper's Guide Book

This book has been produced by the National Beekeeping Station as an informative, technical handbook on apiculture in Kenya Available from: National Beekeeping Station, Ministry of Livestock Development, PO Box 34188, Nairobi, Kenya.

TANZANIA

FAIDERS, an NGO based in Biharamulo, organised four day seminar in 1997 to discuss beekeeping using improved techniques and tools to produce good quality bee products in increased quantities, as well as enhancing environmental care. Twenty participants from six independent beekeeping groups were involved in the seminar.

The market potential for bee products was discussed in detail. A local market exists on small-scale but with improved techniques and outputs there will be need for external markets. FAIDERS was charged to locate market possibilities and make contacts with traders.

If you are interested please contact: Christian Byamungu, Secretary General, FAIDERS c/o Bees for Development

ZAMBIA

For almost 34 years since the inclusion of beekeeping into the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources beekeeping was predominantly carried out by men, especially in the North Western Province of Zambia. Women were left out of the activities and customs and traditions prevented women starting beekeeping as a source of income.

In the early 1990s in Kasempa District Kamakechi Group was begun and attracted great interest from the local women. But this group practised honey hunting, not beekeeping using bark hives or calabashes. The Group received training from volunteer working at Kabompo Beekeeping Centre and remained active until funding support was reduced and the Group split up.

In 1996-97 there was thought to revive this Group and follow-up was made, but in vain. Now however as part of the Area Development Programme (supported by IFAD) six groups have been formed with total membership of 150 women. Funds from IFAD provided support for training programmes. The groups are still awaiting follow-up to this initial training.

Moses Mulenga, District Beekeeping Officer, Kasempa District