An
eMERACTICAL BEEKEEPING
A Practical Approach to Beekeeping Extension in Tanzania
by G. NTENGA, Principal Beekeeping Officer, Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania
Introduction The presence of honey hunters and simple beekeepers in many areas, particularly in the settled areas bordering the forests and woodlands, is an indication that beekeeping is one of the occupations which contribute substantially to the welfare of rural populations. The collection of honey and beeswax using simple methods has been practised by rural people for several centuries. Over the years since the German occupation of Tanganyika in 1885, beekeeping has been encouraged in many parts of the country, with emphasis on increased production and improved quality of beeswax for export. In the 1950s emphasis was laid on the production of good quality honey. It is in the areas of increased production and improved quality of bee products that some progress has been made through the extension service. Methods of obtaining honey and beeswax from bees have not changed much despite all types of instruction aimed to improve the design of hives and methods of managing the bee colonies. It has been observed that beekeepers are reluctant to change their methods, because they are used to them, and the absence of successful practical examples of improved methods makes the beekeepers suspicious of any change. Modern or improved methods involve expenditure of money which the traditional beekeepers are not prepared to part with for something which they do not know how to use or have not seen in use. It is most probable that extension methods have not been sufficiently penetrating, failing to reach 8
the beekeepers at the right time and right place. It is also probable that extension officials do not know how to approach the beekeepers. This paper seeks to establish some practical methods of approach to beekeeping extension.
Extension Methods Beekeeping extension work consists of providing instructions and demonstrations on the best methods of carrying out beekeeping. It is necessary that a workable approach to extension work is evolved, showing clearly the tasks involved in every aspect. The following are some of the well known methods of extension which are applicable to beekeeping. 1. Articles in the local and national papers Prepare concise articles describing precisely what is required of beekeepers, and submit them to editors of popular newspapers. Arrangements can be made with the publishers to set aside a space in newspapers for regular publications. Articles should describe how to make good hives, how to bait and site them, the importance of carrying out regular inspections of apiaries and bee colonies, the use of bee protectives and smokers, how to harvest honeycomb and how to prepare honey and beeswax for sale. Emphasis should be laid on selection of good apiary sites and provision of water for the bees. 2. Lectures and film shows to the
public These can be very effective as large crowds of people are often attracted to film shows. The films should be
complemented by lectures on the subjects shown, as well as on related subjects. Films should, as far as possible, include local characters and background. 3. Radio reports and features In Tanzania reports are regularly broadcast under the Maliasili radio programme; any such reports must be easy to understand and related to
practical beekeeping. 4, Stands at trade fairs and agricultural shows Displays can be very useful, especially if accompanied by film shows and live bees in observation hives. In Tanzania the annual Saba Saba shows which feature actively in regions and districts should be fully utilized by extension staff. 5. Lectures and demonstrations in schools
Officers should be assigned the work of visiting schools for lectures and demonstrations. It should be made a routine to visit schools. 6. Beekeeping projects in folk development colleges Officers should be permanently posted to the colleges to teach and demonstrate beekeeping to the farmers who attend courses at the col-
leges. 7. Beekeepers’ brigades These should be organised in schools, folk colleges, prisons, national service camps and in villages, to look after the beekeeping projects in these institutions. 8. Beekeepers’ associations Regional and area beekeepers’ associations should be formed, to be affiliated to the central Beekeepers
Association.
