re
New grey lizards, insect pests (including wasps, giant and red ants) and toads attack and kill bees. Cattle, horses and pigs can knock over hives and then lick up the honey.
Meliponula nebulata occupying the same hive as African honeybees Apis mellifera adansonii
Beekeepers put scarecrows on plantations to frighten animals away. They hang their hives 90-120 cm above the ground. No bee diseases have been detected in Benin.
Varroa confirmed
Reported by Alphonse Dansou in Coraf
Action, October-December 1999
Cameroon
Beekeepers trained in Buea Sub Division About 100 beekeepers have recently undertaken training during two workshops facilitated by the Forestry, Agriculture, Animal & Fishery Network. One workshop was designed to create awareness of beekeeping as an income-generating activity for school leavers and unemployed young people.
The second workshop, held on the slopes of Mount Cameroon, attracted 60 participants: some local villagers and honey hunters. They heard how beekeeping can increase income and how to practise honey hunting that protects the environment. Both workshops taught construction and use of top-bar hives, api-agroforestry and the use of hive
products, particularly propolis and beeswax which have previously been always thrown away. Material supplied by
Bees for Development was
distributed to all workshop participants. Lyonga William Mumbe, Beekeeping Supervisor, FAAFNET
Page 8
-
A Bees for Development publication
New Zealand
ANTHONY ADDAI
Ghana A peaceful co-existence! This picture sent in by our Ghana Correspondent, Kwame Aidoo, shows stingless bees
and
senin The Association Nationale des Apiculteurs du Bénin is working hard to protect bees. Scaly ant-eaters, frogs,
KWAME AIDOO
)
The Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry in Wellington confirmed the presence of the Varroa mite in South Auckland in April 2000. A standstill order extending 70 km from Auckland has been imposed while a search for infested colonies takes place. There are 100 hobby and commercial beekeepers in this area. The exportation of live bees from New Zealand has ceased until the extent of the disease is known. Jim Edwards, National Manager International Trade, New Zealand
Editor’s note:
{t has been confirmed also that the Varroa mite has been introduced to the western-most country in Europe. Ireland,
Nigeria Kano State Afforestation
Project
During the processing and use of forest products in Kano State, little attention is given to the abundant resources of nontimber forest products and the beneficial impact of apiculture on environmental conservation. Surveys of the area have shown good apicultural resources, with many honeybees attracted to the area because of the abundant forage and water resources available.
Sierra Leone
Two areas, one of natural forest at Dansoshiy, and Yanbawa Shelter Belt (planted Eucalyptus) were proposed as sites for the apiculture programme and hives introduced. After four months the initial capital outlay had been recovered. Currently honey and beeswax are underpriced and their market potential is not fully realised. The bee farmers are forming an association to ensure a fair price for their products and a constant supply to meet the demand. Kano State Afforestation Project
Request for support for training
Bo Beekeepers’ Co-operative Society has been assisting rural communities of the Southern Province in beekeeping. Our organisation has been hit hard during the civil strife. The office in Bo with all our beekeeping equipment ranging from bee suits to extractors was burnt. Four apiaries located in Pujehun District each with six bee hives were destroyed. Worst of all the organisation tragically lost its pioneer and first Executive Director, Mr William Dent, a Liberian refugee and professional beekeeper who was killed in a rebel ambush between Freetown and Bo. ! write to formally request all readers and well-wishers for financial assistance to enable one of our extension staff to participate in the Beekeeping in Rural Development Course in July 2000. Your assistance (however small) will go a long way in training one staff member to become as competent as the late William. hereby authorise that assistance be directed to Bees for Development, and thank you. | Senesi Fawundu, Executive Director, Bo Beekeepers’ Co-operative Society Ltd |
