CONGRESSES
APITRADE AFRICA AT The new network for trade of African honey, Apilrade Africa, was presented for the first time at the APIMONDIA Congress in Melbourne.
APIMONDIA
The Chairman of the Task Force, Mr Harun Baiya, and the Secretary, Mr Bosco Okello were present, and ApiTrade Africa had an attractive
display stand within ApiExpo. Bosco Okello delivered a presentation about the new network. These activities created much interest with African participants keen to join. On the final day of the Congress, Vita (Europe) Ltd sponsored a reception for 150 delegates on behalf of both
Bees for Development Trust and ApiTrade Africa.
What did we learn? Apilrade Africa needs a Secretariat. +
Contact Api Trade Africa at the following (temporary) e-mail address:
There is plenty of interest from new participants to attend ApiTrade Africa's next meeting, planned for February 2008 in Nairobi.
apitradeafrica@ beesfordevelopment.org
Background: Prior to the Apimondia Congress in Dublin 2005, Bees for Development organised a Workshop to consider issues surrounding trade in African honey. An outcome from that Workshop was a resolution to create new network to enable linkages to be made between producer groups and honey traders, both inside Africa and beyond. Two subsequent meetings of the groups have been held, and an interim task force has been established. The network has chosen the title ApiTrade Africa. Proceedings from BfD Honey Trade Workshops are available on the BfD website and for purchase on CD. a
The dense forest and mature trees of the rain forest provide magnificent potential for
Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south and Suriname to the east. The country
are
boasts more that 300 km of Atlantic coast,
transport is also Sometimes necessary, but
with 90% of the country covered in lush, green, tropical forest.
iS very
The population of Guyana is 750,000 people, of six races and as many religions and languages. The principal language is
English. Guyana’s 17,000 hectares of pristine tropical rain forest are in the highland region with rapids, rivers, mountains and waterfalls,
nectar Sources.
In many cases the forests accessible only by trail and boat. Air
expensive,
Akayos in the Upper Mazaruni of Guyana in the villages of Kamarang, Waramadong, Kako and Jawalla rear Africanised bees. The forage is abundant in the surrounding forests that are in the foot hills of Mount Roraima.
The villages are 1,000 m above sea level. The honey from this region has a very special flavour. Several beekeepers have
bees in the secondary forest, which is
including the majestic Kaiteur Falls.
accessible by road.
Apiculture
Guyana has a wide variety of timber. Local beekeepers have found Silverbali wood to
Given Guyana’s proximity to Brazil, we were among the first to experience the arrival of
Africanised honey bees in the late 1970s. The bees soon became the dominant
species
in the country.
Africanised bees
spread to the coastal region and cohabited
this region with people and animals. There have been many instances of human
disturbance of the bees. Guyana has approximately 200 beekeepers scattered throughout the country with 1,500
SUPPLIES.
GUYANA
Guyanafs situated on the South American Coast betweenthe Atlantic in the north,
Psa
CARIBBEAN CONGRESS IN
be the most appropriate wood for manufacturing hive bodies and frames. This
wood is light, and resistant to termites and the weather. Beekeepers obtain wooden
The Fifth Caribbean Beekeeping Congress will be held in Guyana in November 2008. It will enable beekeepers to
witness how Africanised honey bees are both productive and useful to many people.
Alricanised bee handler removing a colony from the eaves of a house
equipment from Kingdom Apiary Products & Supplies, while protective clothing and honey harvesting equipment are also available in Guyana. FURTHER READING Guyana: an overview of beekeeping Bees for Development Journal 82
Stingless bees Journal 8?
in Guyana
Bees for Development
Zoom in on Guyana Bees for Development
hives. There are thousands of wild honey bee colonies. There are six Africanised bee
Further information watch the BFD website www.beesfordevelopment.org/
Journal 24
handlers operating on the coast.
info/news
the information.
Thanks to Aubrey Roberts and Linden Stewart for
