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PROJECT NEWS
project news
Bees for Development Journal
Project News Information from ICIMOD Farooq Ahmad, Surendra Joshi and Min Gurung
Grassroots sharing through networking Here we bring you another article with news about the work of the Austrian Government funded beekeeping project at ICIMOD in Kathmandu, Nepal. In BfDJ 67 we described the activities of a local NGO, BEENPRO in Kaski. In this issue we bring you news about ApiNet, the network set up for bee people across Nepal. The beekeeping community in Nepal has a rich store of practical knowledge and information derived from indigenous beekeeping practices, but until now there has been no easy mechanism for sharing outside neighbourhood groups. ICIMOD's beekeeping project recognised early on how much beekeepers and traders could benefit from more widespread exchange of information, experiences and development of linkages, and that this would also benefit
the conservation of indigenous bees. The project team worked with various individuals and organisations involved in beekeeping development and bee conservation through discussions, sharing, more than a dozen selective gatherings, and two countrywide meetings, in a process that led to the creation of the Apiculturists Network Nepal, now ApiNet-Nepal for short. The Network was registered in late 2002. At its first major Workshop held in May 2003, the Network brought together beekeepers, honey hunters, traders and development professionals from all over the country to discuss issues related to honeybees, conservation, blossoms, honey and honey markets. Eighty-eight participants representing 60 of Nepal's 75 districts gathered together, supported by ICIMOD's honeybee project team, to share information and experiences. The Acting President of the Federation of the Nepal Chambers of Commerce and
Industry inaugurated the meeting and the Director General of Agriculture and members of his team represented the government. The inaugural speeches covered a range of topics; in particular presenters stressed the need to evolve honey standards in line with the Codex Alimentarius to facilitate export. ICIMOD's Director of Programmes offered the Centre's assistance to the Nepalese Government and ApiNet in developing a framework of policies conducive to the beekeeping industry, trade, and export. Workshop themes z To expand the knowledge and understanding of beekeeping in Nepal with special emphasis on indigenous honeybee species and prevalent bee business practices. z To explore the population patterns of the honeybee species, their productivity and honey marketing trends.
Congratulations Congratulations to Dr Joshi who has received 'The Crown Prince Youth Science and Technology Award' from the Royal Nepal Academy of Science and Technology for his PhD research. This type of Award is presented to a maximum of five people working in various scientific disciplines every year. (Left) Dr Surendra Joshi (in striped shirt) with beekeeping villagers in Alital, West Nepal. Other ICIMOD team members pictured here are Mr Chet Raj Bhatta, standing fourth from right, and on his right, Mr Satananda Upadhaya.
ICIMOD is the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, an international organisation devoted to the development of the Hindu Kush Himalaya region. ICIMOD is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Read more at www.icimod.org.np
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