Caribbean congress in Guyana

Guyana is situated on the South American Coast between the Atlantic in the north, Venezuela to the west, Brazil to the south and Suriname to the east. The country boasts more that 300 km of Atlantic coast, with 90% of the country covered in lush, green, tropical forest.

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, including the majestic Kaiteur Falls.

Apiculture

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 hives. There are thousands of wild honey bee colonies. There are six Africanised bee handlers operating on the coast.

The dense forest and mature trees of the rain forest provide magnificent potential for nectar Sources. In many cases the forests are accessible only by trail and boat. Air transport is also Sometimes necessary, but is very 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 accessible by road.

Guyana has a wide variety of timber. Local beekeepers have found Silverbali wood to 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 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 in Guyana Bees for Development Journal 82

Zoom in on Guyana Bees for Development Journal 24

Thanks to Aubrey Roberts and Linden Stewart for the information.