News

BENIN

I received the issues of Bees for Development Journal thank you, and will be sharing them with the beekeepers. The Journals will be filed in the Peace Corps Information Resource Centre here for other volunteers interested in apiculture. Currently am I involved in training beekeepers and their communities against deforestation and starting tree nurseries of melliferous species at each site. Apparently there has been a great drop in honey production since the installation of the hives around year 2000 - drastic deforestation of the region has been a major contribution.

Jenny Hislop, PCV - Environmental Action, Athieme

BRAZIL

Caatinga Forest Initiative

A US$27 million initiative was launched in 2004 by President Lula, to conserve the unique Caatinga Forest in drought-prone northeast Brazil. The project will help improve livelihoods in this poor region of the country with a population of 18.5 million. "Precious ecosystems, such as the Caatinga, have been weakened by unsustainable pressure. Wood still provides nearly one-third of the region's energy", said President Lula.

Caatinga means white forest in the local tupi-guarani language, so named because many trees are without leaves for much of the year, sporting only silvery bark. It is home for many animals and up to 20,000 plant species. The forest covers 10% of the country's land area, and its wood provides fuel for local steel, brick and tile industries. Excessive tree cutting is causing soil erosion that degrades lands and reduces water quality, diminishes economic productivity, and threatens plant and animal life.

The project, administered by UNDP will develop a framework to guide conservation and sustainable use of forest resources for 160 communities. It will work with industries and communities to improve wood-fuelled ovens so they burn more efficiently. The initiative will help communities to integrate management of forest areas where wood is harvested and to harvest fruits, medicinal plants, oils and honey.

The Global Environment Facility is providing US$4 million for the project. Co-financing worth US$23 million will come from the Government of Brazil, regional and national institutions, and other organisations, including FAO and the North-East Bank. The project is a broad public-private partnership that includes a network of more than 600 grassroots organisations. It will help Brazil towards attaining the Millennium Development Goals of reducing extreme poverty and promoting environmental sustainability.

Source: UNDP Newsfront

CAMEROON

Bonakanda-Bova Bee farmers' Group (BOBEEFAG)'s goal is to improve the quantity and quality of honey and bee products in Mount Cameroon Region. We are currently awaiting the outcome of a proposal on procurement of beekeeping equipment submitted to the FAO Project Support Scheme, see Notice Board page 10, through the Hon Minister of Environment & Forestry, Yaoundé.

In response to our request to Netherlands Senior Experts, honeybee scientist Professor Jacob Peter Van Praagh, visited us in November 2004 to see about the technical development of commercial beekeeping in our area. Professor Van Praagh was one of the facilitators at a two-day training workshop we organised. Twenty BOBEEFAG members, 17 group representatives and 13 forest honey hunters from villages in the area participated. We collectively recommended the establishment and implementation of an organisational network, protection of honeybees, sustainable techniques in bee farming, preservation of bio-diversity and conservation of the environment.

Many thanks to Mother Nature for the availability of natural resources in our tropical region. Appreciation also to Bees for Development Trust for support to beekeeping development.

Samuel Lyonga, Delegate, BOBEEFAG

CANADA

Beeswax candles burn pure and actually change the charges on ions in the air, similar to what happens when you stand next to a waterfall or take a shower. People report this cleaner air helps with their allergies and sinus conditions. Burning a paraffin candle in your home is like burning an old tyre: it is not safe!

Honey Gardens Newsletter,

December 2004

CUBA

Increasing export of ecological honey is part of a strategy aimed at meeting the growing demand for that product on the international market. Experts said that production of ecological honey increased last year, and new areas were certified to produce that kind of honey.

At present, a score of municipalities in eastern Cuba have been certified to produce ecological honey, since they meet international quality standards. Ecological honey is in high demand in Europe and prices are high on the international market. That is why Cuban agricultural authorities have decided to increase production. In order to achieve that goal, Cuban apiculturists are gradually increasing the value of production, since the price of one tonne of ecological honey is US$300 higher than that of regular honey on the international market. The highly demanding European market, where there is G growing tendency to consume ecological products, is the main target for Cuban exports of ecological honey.

Cuba is ready to launch the brandy Titan, a high-quality liqueur that will be sold both in Cuba and abroad. Trademark owner Jesus Colina pointed out that the new brandy will be produced in central Villa Clara province and will be made from honey. The brandy, registered in Cuba, contains 40% alcohol! and is made following a traditional recipe, in addition to being bottled in a special ceramic bottle.

Western Matanzas Province produced more than 1,100 tonnes of honey in 2004. Local experts said that last year's output was 100 tonnes higher than production in 2003. In addition, it is the largest production of honey over the past 12 years, based on an average yield of 60 kg per hive. In addition to honey, Matanzas produced 15 tonnes of beeswax and 500 kg of propolis. In the case of the latter, the output was 200 kg higher than in 2003.

Apiculturists from Matanzas also achieved high reproduction of queen bees, making changes in 60% of the hives. These good results were achieved despite the adverse effects of a severe drought that has affected most of the Caribbean Island.

Source: FAO non-wood News

NWFP.Digest-L No. 4/05

FIJI

Honey attracts farmers

Beekeeping Co-operative Officer Tomasi Lutu said his Department expected 30 participants but had received interest from 70 people instead for their one-week beekeeping workshop in Labasa. "The response has shown that people in the north have now ventured into other areas of farming after the decline in the sugar industry", he said. While he noted that beekeeping would never take the place of the sugar industry, Mr Lutu said it would always be a very good money earner. The workshop is being co-ordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture at the request of the Department of Co-operatives.

Source: Fiji Times, 17 March 2005 (FAO non-wood News NWFP-Digest-L No. 4/05)

KENYA

Award for Adventure

Emwatsi Primary School in Vihiga District has been selected as a 2005 international finalist for the Volvo Adventure Award for their project ‘Biodiversity Conservation through Beekeeping', which is focusing on conservation of natural vegetation, planting of bee forage trees and enterprise diversification. Emwatsi Primary School is an active member of the Lake Victoria Schools Agroforestry & Environmental Education Network, which is jointly facilitated by the Kenya Forestry Research Institute and the World Agroforestry Centre.

Volvo Adventure was set up to recognise and reward practical environmental action being taken by young people in their local community. It is open to young people around the world aged between 10 and 16 years, working with schools and youth and community groups.

In May, two teachers and five pupils from the School visited the Volvo Adventure Conference in Sweden and presented their beekeeping project and practical environmental action to a jury of international experts. Fifteen projects from all over the world have been selected out of many hundreds of applications. Only two projects from Africa were selected and for the first time in the history of this Award a Kenyan project has been selected as an international finalist.

Source: Tom Vandenbosch

MEKO News

Kenya Enterprise Microfund Organization (MEKO) knows that beekeeping is suited to lands where other modes of agriculture are risky. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that beekeeping could be carried out in over 80% of our country. Achego Women's Group in Ndhiwa Division joined MEKO in February. The Group has ten members and paid Kshs5,000 (US$65) deposit for ten hives. MEKO convey their sincere gratitude to Bees for Development for training materials provided for our one-day workshop held in March in Ndhiwa Division. The materials were useful in making the farmers realise that beekeeping can be a viable commercial enterprise. (Thanks also to Mr Peter Howes who facilitated the express delivery of the materials)

Tobias Ofenio, Chairman of MEKO, Nairobi

MEKO received a Resource Box, sponsored by Bees for Development Trust

Help is available for projects in developing countries with copies of BfD

Journal and other publications for use at training courses and workshops. We must receive your request three months ahead of the meeting date with an indication of the number of participants.

Organisations with some funding resources available can order a Workshop Box: 50 for 25 participants (includes surface mail delivery). See ways to pay on page 15 or visit our website store.

MADAGASCAR

FENAPI (Fédération Nationale de

l'Apiculture) held a Workshop, sale and show of honey and beekeeping materials in December 2004. The Workshop objective was to provide better information on the beekeeping national plan, land tenure, aspects of reforestation, the impact of honey composition on public health, and plans for testing pesticide residue in honeys for export.

Mahefa Razafinimanana, President of FENAPI, Antananarivo

MALAWI

Kushedi Beekeeping & Development Centre was established in December 2000. It started as a family-owned enterprise but grew and spread amongst the neighbouring villages within the District. Initially we had ten hives, now we have 25 hives and are producing more honey than ever. We make many sales in our area. Establishment of the Centre acted a source of income as well as a focal point where people can meet and exchange views.

Kushedi Centre has also helped to protect the Mua-Livulezi Forest Reserve which was on the verge of collapse. People were cutting down trees for timber and wood carving, and burning charcoal and bamboo. Now people have changed absolutely from their bad behaviour of deforestation to a better life: because they are kept busy by apicultural practices. They are able to make money from the honey in their hives. There are less acts of deforestation since people are attached to beekeeping so much, and are happily earning their living.

My appeal is to all well wishers, organisations and individuals that if I could be sponsored to attend a training course, it would be an incentive for the enlargement of my knowledge at the Centre.

Please contact me, J Z Banda (Founder of Kashedi Centre), via Bees for Development

NEPAL

I successfully organised six a day training programme on Beekeeping Skills Development (27 March - 1 April 2005) at Kaski District. There were 27 participants including seven women, 20 participants were already keeping bee colonies. Before the training programme, they had problems and were unaware how to manage bee colonies, especially how to control swarms, to make strong colonies, to separate colonies, to inspect the bee colonies, queen rearing techniques, to identify bee diseases and how to treat them, process honey and marketing etc. The main objective of the training programme was to upgrade the technical beekeeping skills of existing local beekeepers in Lekanath Municipality. I hope to continue receiving your Journal and look forward to your co-operation.

Jitendra Lohani, Industrial Enterprise

Development Institute, Kathmandu

NIGERIA

Something more than gold I have known beekeeping since I was a teenager and used to follow my grandfather to harvest honey, usually at midnight. I did not know the value of honey until there was a famine in the land. It was caused by drought and the only sources of income in the village - maize, beans and groundnuts were all affected. It became impossible to continue paying tuition fees for our schooling. A guy named Kantana Abram sold his bicycle and bought some honey with the money. He took it to the city and sold it with interest, and so he continued until he graduated from the University of Maiduguri. I did not know what was happening. He explained everything to me and I was challenged. I started mobilising people about beekeeping as an alternative source of income, although did not have much knowledge of beekeeping then.

I advised many students to start so as to keep their studies going, but some neglected it because beekeeping is assumed to be the work of idle old men. It was not easy for me until the few that had the urge started improving their standard of living. Then many began to come and ask me to supervise their hives, especially when they had gone to school.

I wrote to FAO asking for more knowledge and that is how | got to know about Bees for Development. Girls are now beekeeping in Mishara-Para, a village in Borno State. Because | said, "If Kantana (the son of a very poor farmer) can become a graduate by means of honey, then anyone can". These have always been my motivational words. I am currently in Katsina State, and have about 60 participants. My aim is to see the number increase with beekeeping in every local government area in the State. Bees are something more than gold: how we wish every one was a beekeeper!

Asimya Enoch Samuel, Director, BDI

PAKISTAN

Thank you very much for sending me Bees for Development Journal.

I am busy developing beekeeping facilities for research, teaching and training purpose at the Punjab University Campus. Issues of the Journal are a useful addition in our newly set up Beekeeping Project Library. We are running a campaign through our training programmes to generate awareness about the role of bees in sustainable livelihoods and as a positive component of the agriculture sector. Rural communities especially those associated with honey hunting of Apis dorsata near Lahore, are being focused for developing small beekeeping enterprises for sale of their honey and beeswax, and making beekeeping implements.

Dr Nasreen Muzaffar, Honeybee Research Centre, Punjab University, Lahore

UGANDA

The people of Kangai sub county, Lira District, northern Uganda, have a long tradition of honey production which depends on local materials for hives. Honey to used to supplement food and income because of its longevity when stored properly. Due to the degradation of local trees, the source of local hives has dwindled over time, resulting in an absence of honey. Local farmers now find it very difficult to carry on beekeeping and the crops that depend on insect pollination are severely affected.

Kangai Integrated Community Development Initiative (KICDI) is an NGO that began in year 2000 and is based in Lira District. We are a member organisation of the Uganda National Farmers' Federation - an umbrella organisation of all farmers groups and agro-related industries in Uganda.

We need 300 modern hives made locally at the Uganda Beekeepers’ Association in Nakasongola, but we do not have money to purchase them for the farmers of Kangai: it is in this regard that KICDI request help. Once supported, the Kangai farmers will supply honey to meet the current world market demand for tropical organic honey, thus reducing poverty at household levels. The project will be implemented with guidance from the District Entomologist.

Richard Obote-Alele, Chairperson, KICDI

ZAMBIA

Kasempa Beekeepers

Every effort is being used to ensure that our project succeeds. Twenty groups have been trained and 10 top-bar hives given to each group as initial seed capital. Sixteen further groups need training and hives. The Committee has been soliciting assistance from the ILO support programme and we are assured of help for these groups. Training requires materials and therefore | am asking Bees for Development Trust to assist.