NEWS
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Mali Honey is an important source of income for villagers in the Mena Region of Mali. In this region are some of the world’s poorest communities. The
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OMADI Beekeeping Project, funded by the UK organisation Tree Aid, began in January 1999 to support the use of improved hives and honey extraction methods. Over two years the project aims to:
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increase conservation awareness,
focusing on protecting and planting, particularly melliferous trees, and the prevention of bushfires;
Benin Api-Benin promotes beekeeping in Benin through: * *
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Training; Production of beekeeping equipment: hives, smokers, protective clothes; Research on tropical beekeeping; Information provision for rural populations.
In 1998: *
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258 persons were trained in beekeeping; 1310 frame hives were built ; 67 smokers were made; 656 litres of honey were harvested.
Two more beekeeping training courses will take place in 1999, in August and
Beekeeper at work at Beloku, Mali
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provide protective clothing and equipment; train 60 beekeepers in management and honey and wax harvesting demonstrate soap and candle making, particularly to women, to establish income-generating enterprises; establish a beekeeping co-operative for the sharing of experiences and improved marketing possibilities.
TREE AID
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PHOTOGRAPH
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promote improved traditional hives and top-bar hives;
Sarah Francis, Tree Aid
Cameroon Kokoe’s Honeybees Not a new honeybee species, but the original and friendly name for a second division football team in Cameroon.
Two years ago young people in Kokoe, 100 km north of Yaounde democratically chose the name for their team. Club Vice-President, Mr Abega said, “We chose “honeybee” because we respect this insect. The bee produces honey, a very noble substance which is appreciated by everyone. Bees are very well disciplined, respectful, show solidarity and are busy... they are able to react firmly when attacked. If our young team has all these qualities, we will be successful”.
Sucré-Villages (an NGO working for sustainable beekeeping) visited the village for an information campaign on beekeeping. Some villagers have been trained and now have good, tasty honey. A scabies (itching) epidemic in the region has been eradicated thanks to a tonic mix of honey and lemon juice.
And the favourite football club of Sa’a Region is playing the “honeybee” game in all the stadia of the Central Province of the country. Adolph Libong Cameroon
B&D’s Correspondent
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