News

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 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:

- increase conservation awareness, focusing on protecting and planting, particularly melliferous trees, and the prevention of bushfires;

- promote improved traditional hives and top-bar hives;

- 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.

Sarah Francis, Tree Aid

Benin

Api-Benin promotes beekeeping in Benin through:

-Training;

- Production of beekeeping equipment: hives, smokers, protective clothes;

- Research on tropical beekeeping;

- Information provision for rural populations.

In 1998:

- 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 in 1999, August and November.

Valentin Agon - Director, Api-Benin and B&D's Correspondent in Benin

Cameroon

Kokoe’s Honeybees

Not new a honeybee species, but the original and friendly name for 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 a honey, 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 B&D’s Correspondent in Cameroon

United Kingdom

At 87 years Natalie Hodgson is one of the United Kingdom’s oldest beekeepers. She has been beekeeping for over 40 years and welcomes 3000 visitors every year to her home, to buy honey and to visit her 1.6 hectares of lavender fields. In addition to honey, Natalie also sells pot-pourri, lavender oil, lavender plants, herbs and beeswax candles. Natalie was the winner of competition sponsored by the company Bayer, as part of “UK National Varroa Week”.

“The bees are an essential part of my lavender enterprise, and although want docile bees I also need healthy bees for pollination”, says Natalie.

Tanzania

The “let-alone” method is discouraged by many beekeepers, but still remains the easiest way for catching swarms.

Most beginners fail because they think that to catch swarm you just bait a hive and site it.

If you are new to the area ask the local beekeepers when the swarming season takes place. A good indication is the reported increase in bee clusters on trees or invading buildings. Watch at what height above the ground the swarms fly to give you an idea of the height to site your hives. In miombo woodland bees depend on trees for forage and will fly high, making it difficult to attract swarms to hives on stands.

Hive materials are important. Some types of wood produce an unpleasant smell which repels the bees, therefore not all trees will be used for making log hives. Molten beeswax or herbs are smeared inside the hives.

Other problems arise from pests including ants, frogs, lizards, snails, and spiders whose webs block the hive entrance. Mice chew the wood and cause terrible internal destruction of the hive, filling it up with their nests. They also make the entrance too big which attracts the further hazard of occupancy by poisonous snakes! A weekly inspection of unoccupied hives will reduce these problems.

Even the “let alone” method differs from area to area and beekeepers need become experts in the one that suits their locality.

David Yonaza

Yusufu David is in standard five at Mkoami Primary School, Kibaha in Tanzania. He is happy as his father has told him that the trapped swarm which was invading the nearby house will be transferred to his new hive. He has two top-bar hives with strong colonies which help towards his school fees.

Uganda

Participants in the three-day beekeeping course organised recently by the United Women’s Apiary in Wobulenzi, Uganda. Information and photograph supplied Henry Nsubuga, Secretary of UWA.

United Arab Emirates

Jos Schoenmakers sent in this photograph of Sahoresh (above left) and Jos examining an almost perfectly intact comb from an Apis florea nest knocked out of a Prosopis juliflora “Mesquite” tree after a recent desert storm on the Nakhille Estate, Umm Al Quwain. Not surprisingly the bees are gone!

Updates

Spain

B&D45 reported on a 10,000 years old cave painting in Spain, depicting honey hunting, that was in danger of becoming lost forever due to damage by visitors. In December 1998 UNESCO protected this and the other paintings in the "Cave of the Spider" by entering them on to the World Heritage List. So, to all B&D readers who wrote in support of this cause - a job WELL DONE!

Lugi Nino Masetti, France

Tanzania

1999 started with fair rains giving hope that the harvest would be good. Sadly February was very dry and the crops withered, taking away the hope of harvest. However, the Tabora beekeepers are eagerly awaiting June when they have every hope of harvesting a lot of honey and beeswax.

Since my retirement from Tabora Beekeepers' Co-operative Society I have continued beekeeping and have started a new apiary in Malongwe Forest. I too am waiting for June and my honey harvest.

Justin Madaha, B &D's Correspondent in Tanzania.

Ps: Congratulations on the 50th issue of B&D!