Bees for Development Journal
71
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD ARGENTINA Buzzing market
Honey producers in Argentina are getting a new buzz from their export markets. Now that the sting of Argentina's worst economic crisis is past, farm exporters of everything from soybeans to honey are
enjoying a boom. The sweet smell of export success is what honey producers in the La Elisa ranch in Capital Sarziento, about 150 km north of Buenos Aires hope will be their economic bonanza. This year, Argentina's 25,000 honey producers have sent 87,000 tonnes abroad which is a 69% increase compared to last year, to markets as far away as Europe and the USA. Florence Hornsby Top-bet fuve swere
CAMEROON Beekeeping in Berudep You could be forgiven for thinking that the B in BERUDEP stands for beekeeping, because we have become synonymous for honey! Even if someone in the area cannot tell you about the other health, rehabilitation and agricultural projects with which we are involved, they will know that there is honey harvesting and beekeeping training going on. BERUDEP has several outlets for their honey, stretching far from their headquarters in Boyo Division. A new honey shop in Limbe is preparing for opening and Cameroon's second honey show was organised by BERUDEP and the beekeeping department of Mount Cameroon Project in October 2003. Honey's health benefits and natural good taste are the reason for the growing market and interest in keeping bees. BERUDEP promotes beekeeping for diverse reasons such as income generation, health and environmental protection: we like to see Cameroon becoming the playground of bees!
Beekeeping fits well with BERUDEP's primary concern of poverty alleviation
introduced by BERUDEP in 1990
BERUDEP's interest in bees started when the Director was in the USA studying community development. Having a family history with honeybees, Simon Ngwainmbi remembered his father going out honey hunting and this led to a desire to increase the number of farmers harvesting honey. Simon made it a reality and BERUDEP began in 1990. Bees for Development played a role in BERUDEP's success as it was through an article about BERUDEP in 1997 that led fo a contact and subsequent relationship with Bees Abroad, another UK-based organisation. Bees Abroad has helped BERUDEP establish the bee department as a self-sustainable enterprise, and many successful beekeepers owe their start in the industry to this relationship. Brian Durk has visited Cameroon several times to survey the beekeeping activities, experience the differences between the two countries’ methods, and to share his knowledge of bees.
Beekeeping was adopted as one of our main activities because it fits well with BERUDEFP's primary concern: rural poverty alleviation. It was seen as the motivation needed for the local people to protect their forests from damaging fires and the destructive felling of fuel wood for cooking, and of timber for building. Training in beekeeping ensures independence for those who learn and practise the art of keeping bees and gives a future guarantee against the poverty so common in the rural areas of Cameroon.
Beekeeping has always been a way of life for the people of Cameroon's North West. The main difference is that women - who were previously excluded. from honey hunting - now own and run successful colonies. Modern equipment is on the rise and with the introduction of good smokers the incidence of accidental 12
fires caused by beekeeping is decreasing. Simon Ngwainmbi introduced top-bar hives to farmers in 1990 and has been using them ever since. The top-bar hive has been well received and new techniques are being put into practice immediately after training sessions. All hives - from local style to top-bar - are being used by BERUDEP farmers, and the training methods taught for the harvesting of honey and the materials produced by BERUDEP ensure top-quality, clean honey. The dissemination of the health benefits of honey has been very successful and along with all BERUDEP medicinal plant training courses, comes information about the nutrients contained ‘naturally in honey. Honey popularity in Cameroon ensures that demand for honey always exceeds supply. BERUDEP training within Boyo Division has been in ail villages. The courses range from basic, to training of trainers. There is also training in by-products for those who want to sell body creams, shoe polishes and wax products like candles and soap. There is a permanent training location in Belo at the training room in the headquarters, and courses takes place during school holidays. Outside of Boyo Division, training has gone far and wide, and BERUDEFP's philosophy of training the most competent of students as trainers ensures that the work and knowledge continues to spread. The idea that those who benefit from BERUDEP's training can go on to help the rest of their village and surrounding villages means that BERUDEP can geographically serve a large region and see their results multiply beyond their own capacity. As the Director always says "Knowledge is for sharing" and beekeeping is a valuable skill worth sharing.
Michelia Ward, BERUDEP Administrator
