FAO BEEKEEPING PROJECT G 3454

DEVELOPMENT OF APICULTURE AS A SOURCE OF RURAL INCOMEWITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO WOMEN

Dr Nicola Bradbear

February 1987

Country: Botswana

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS, ROME

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. INTRODUCTION

,. 2. ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED

3. FINDINGS

3.1 FEASIBILITY OF BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA

^ 3.1.1 Honeybees^3.1.2 Forage for honeybees

3.2 BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT IN BOTSWANA

3.3 PRESENT STATUS OF BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA

3.3.1 Type of beekeeping practised- 3.3.2 Promotion of beekeeping- 3.3.3 Market for honey and beeswax

4. BEEKEEPING AS AN APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY FOR WOMEN IN BOTSWANA

4.1 THE GENERAL SITUATION OF WOMEN IN BOTSWANA

4.2 ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING TO HELP WOMEN IN BOTSWANA

4.3 OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING BEEKEEPING TO WOMEN INBOTSWANA

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

APPENDIX

A. Itinerary, liaison and persons consulted

B. Training and extension materials

C. Map of Botswana and climate chart

D. References ' »

E. FAO/GCP Proposal

F. Beekeeping: an activity appropriate for rbral women

ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS REPORT

DAO District Agricultural Officer

PAD Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

GCP Government Cooperation Programme

NGO Non-Governmental Organisation

RAO Regional Agricultural Officer

UNDP United Nations Development Programme

VSO Voluntary Service Overseas

VWCA Young Women's Christian Association

1. INTRODUCTION

In February 1987 a consultant visited Botswana for two weekson behalf of PAD to fulfil the following:

1. Review the present beekeeping situation in the country

2. Assess melliferous vegetation for beekeeping development

3. Review existing programmes for the dissemination ofapiculture practises

4. Study the possibility to create a credit for beekeepingequipment and other inputs

5. Evaluate training and extension needs which will includethe participation of women

6. Prepare a detailed project proposal for internationaldonor financing

7. Prepare an end of assignment report.

2. ACTIVITIES CONDUCTEDi

The consultancy involved meetings in Gaborone and othercentres and field work. A full itinerary and list of liaisonand parsons consulted is shown in Appendix A.

3. FINDINGS

3.1 FEASIBILITY OF BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA

3.1.1 Honeybees

The honeybee native to Botswana is Apis melliferaadansonii . the African honeybee. Wild colonies arslikely to be present throughout Botswana for even inthe dry Savanna of the Kalahari, honeybee colonies arecommonly found (1) and in the Okavango delta coloniesare extremely abundant with 40 nests occurring in a

area (2).

3.1.2 Forage for honeybees »

In estimating the forage available for bees inBotswana, it is first necessary to consider thegeneral climatic features. Botswana shows three mainecological zones: the Kalahari dry savanna covering79% of the country, the eastern part with higherrainfall covering 17% of the country (and supporting35% of all arable farming) and the hydromorphic soilsof the Okavango delta which cover 4% of the total land

3.2

area. Rainfall is lowest in the far south-west of thecountry, at about 200mm per year, and increasestowards the east and north to 680mm per year in thenorth-east. Drought occurs about two years in svsryten. The bee forage of selected regions of theKalahari has been extensively catalogued by Clauss(1,3). When rainfall is normal, herbaceous plants arethe main providers of forage for honeybees, but indrought conditions, trees, bushes and other perennialsprovide reliable sources of forage. Clauss has foundthat even the driest south-western region of theKalahari has good beekeeping potential for peopleliving in those remote areas.

Since the remaining parts of the country have higherrainfall than the Kalahari, it is likely that theyprovide more abundant forage for bees. In the northand north-east of the country, large areas (some ofthem Government reserves) are covered by mopane anddry, deciduous woodland. Many wild colonies ofhoneybees are found in these areas, indicating thatample bee forage is available. Important species forbes forage found in this woodland include variousAcacia species, Baikiaea plurijuqa (teak), Beranemiaspecies, croton species, Combretum species, Cassiaspecies, Dialium encr leranum, sclerocarya caffra(marula), and Ziziphus mucronata. Further south thehigher rainfall encourages herbaceous plants whichprovide bee forage even in areas where heavy deforest-ation has occurred.

BEEKEEPING DEVELOPHENT IN BOTSWANA

There is no traditional beekeeping in Botswana: honeyhas always been obtained by simply plundering wildcolonies of honeybees. Keeping bees in hives wasfirst considered in 1976 by an NGO, the Kwaneng RuralDevelopment Association, which established a pilotapiary at Molepolole in 1978. Langstroth hives wereintroduced, and the project anticipated early, largescale production of honey and beeswax. Lack of staffand financial problems resulted in the project beingincorporated into the Ministry of Agriculture'sprogrammes in 1980. Meanwhile in the western-centralKalahari, Bernhard Clauss, working for the GermanVolunteer Service, had begun teaching remote areadwellers how to manage bees in Tanzania top-bar hives.

Clauss's work proved successful, and by 1981 he hadfostered beekeeping in a number of areas. At thistime he was appointed Beekeeping Officer at the newlyformed Ministry of Agriculture Beekeeping Unit.Clauss worked with the Unit until 1983 by which timedemonstration apiaries were established at RuralTraining Centres where beekeeping supervisors had beenappointed and given short training courses, and

beekeeping wag incorporated into the syllabus ofBotswana Agricultural College. Teaching aids weredeveloped, including an exemplary guide to beekeepingin Botswana in both setswana and English versions (seeAppendix B). When Clauss left the Beekeeping Unit in1983, he believed that it was in a position to carryon with the extension work which ha had initiated (1).

3.3 PRESENT STATUS OF BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA

3.3.1 Type of beekeeping practised

It must be remembered that there is no traditionalbeekeeping in Botswana, and the following descriptionsrelata to techniques introduced within the last tenyears. These techniques are now being promoted by theBeekeeping Unit, but beekeeping is not yet widelypractised. At the time of this report, there areapproximately 40 beekeepers, each operating one or twocolonies of bees in top-bar hives.

Hives

Straight-sided top-bar hives made from timber areused, as introduced by Clauss (4). In additionmethods have been developed forrmaking hives withoutcost from cardboard boxes covered with a cow-dung\claymixture (Tshwaragano hive) or from a framework ofwoven sticks covered in cow or goat-dung and clay(Noah's hive). These home-made hives last forseveral seasons but are weakened by rain unlessprotected.

The Beekeeping Unit has found that farmers attendingtheir courses prefer to buy a ready-made hive ratherthan make their own. However, when beekeeping in thebought hive proves successful, beekeepers are subse-quently interested in making their own hives.

Smokers

Smokers made from perforated tin cans are currentlyused. These smokers are cost-free and adequate forsome purposes, but it can be difficult or impossibleto direct smoke accurately. Cow or goat-dung is usedas smoker fuel.

ifProtective clothing

Honey hunters in Botswana have learnt a gentle andrespectful approach to bees, and She same attitude ispromoted by the Beekeeping Unit. Special protectiveclothing is not worn during beekeeping, and suchequipment is not available in Botswana. Thistechnique of handling bees without protectives is

almost unique in Africa, and has aroused much interestin the beekeeping world. It is unclear whether it isthe non-aggressive approach of the (unprotected)beekeeper which makes the bees behave in a docilemanner, or whether the bees themselves are of arelatively docile nature. It is likely that both ofthese factors have their part.

Arguments for the use of protectives are that theygive beginner beekeepers confidence in handling bees,and protective clothing must be available for certainsituations, for example, if a hive is knocked over orbees which have been disturbed are to be removed froma dwelling place. Arguments against protectiveclothing are that beekeepers will handle bees morecarefully if they are not wearing protective clothingand it is an expensive item, which, once others areseen wearing it, would-be beekeepers believe anecessity.

Management».

Apart from hiving wild colonies of honeybees, littleother management is practised. Absconding of coloniesis a major problem.

Honey harvesting

In their eagerness to obtain a honey harvest, manybeekeepers take honey from the hives at the start ofthe honey flow period, and remove combs containingonly a small amount of capped honey. This practiceis encouraged by a fear that honey left in the hivewill be stolen by thieves.

3.3.2 Promotion of beekeeping

The Beekeeping Unit, Ministry of Agriculture

The Beekeeping Unit is the only organisation currentlypromoting beekeeping in Botswana.

Staff Structure

The Unit has a staff of seven, headed by the TechnicalOfficer for Bees, Khaliso Phokedi, who has a Diplomain beekeeping from Tabora, Tanzania. Two trainees arecurrently undertaking the two year Certificatebeekeeping course in Tanzania, and are due to returnto Botswana in June 1987. The Beekeeping Unit has two"extension workers", both holders of certificates inAgriculture, and trained in beekeeping by Ms Phokedi,but without formal training in beekeeping. Inaddition two young trainees (holders of school certi-ficates and one year rural experience) are beingtrained by Ms Phokedi. It is hoped that in 1987

funding will be available from the Ministry ofAgriculture Training Unit for these two trainees to goto Tabora for the certificate course, and for one ofthe extension workers to undertake the Diploma course.

Training of beekeepers

The Beekeeping Unit organises 5-day training courses(Appendix B) in response to requests from RegionalAgricultural Officers (RAOs). District AgriculturalOfficers and Agricultural Demonstrators (ExtensionAgents) should be informed about forthcoming coursesby their RAO, and it is the AgriculturalDemonstrator's duty to then inform farmers aboutcourses. Since 1981, 516 people have been trained inbeekeeping. Course participants are civil ssrvantsand farmers, and approximately 20% are women. Aproblem which must be addressed is why only 40 (8%} ofthose trained have become practising beekeepers. Themain reason appears to be the lack of follow-upextension help for course participants, and theabsence of a routine system for providing beginnerswith the bees and hives they require.

Extension •>iThe two "extension workers" of the Beekeeping Unit arebased in Francistown and Ghanzi (see map Appendix C).The extension worker in Francistown has an office atthe RAO, and gives courses on beekeeping at the RuralTraining Centre. He currently supervises fivebeekeepers in the area, each owning one colony ofbees, but has great difficulty in obtaining transportto visit these beekeepers.

The second extension worker based at Ghanzi covers anextremely wide area, but again his activities areseverely limited by lack of transport. This extensionworker supervises approximately tan beekeepers in theGhanzi area, four in Maun, and two in Tshabong in thefar south of Botswana.

3.3.3 Market for honey and beeswax

No honey or beeswax produced in Botswana are for salein the country. Any honey harvested is consumed bythe beekeeper's family or sold to friends. Honeyharvested from hives at Rural Training Centres is soldby the Beekeeping Unit amongst government officials atthe relatively low price of 42 (2.4US$) per kg topromote beekeeping.

Honey is a highly popular food in Botswana and honeyimported from South Africa is on sale in food storesat 7.8P (4.7USS) per kg. Botswana imports 2 tonnes ofhoney per annum (5).

In Selebi Phikwe a cosmetics manufacturer is making 6different products which are attractively packaged topromote the fact that they contain honey and beeswax.However, the constituent honey is imported fromZimbabwe and the beeswax imported from the UK. Adirector of the company said that they would beinterested In using Botswana honey and beeswax ifavailable.

4. BEEKEEPING AS AN APPROPRIATE ACTIVITY FOR WOMEN IH BOTSWANA

4.1 THE GENERAL SITUATION OF WOMEN IN BOTSWANA

In 1985 a United Nations Mission on Women-OrientatedActivities in Botswana (6) concluded that: "Women areamong the poorest in the nation and lack most of theinputs necessary for production; they have little orno technical and managerial skills and no easy accessto credit".

Thirty percent of rural households in Botswana areheaded by single women, and in the maj ority ofremaining households the men are often absenteepartners. This situation arises because men areemployed in; diamond and copper mining, as emigrantwage earners, and in urban centres: the economy ofBotswana is dependent on these activities.

The drain of men away from rural areas means thatwomen are responsible for most food production inBotswana, and therefore 75% of economically activeBotswana women are engaged in agricultural activities.However, only 38% of these women are farm holders, andeven these farm holders are disadvantaged due to lackof land, labour and equipment.

In view of this situation, it is imperative that anynew intervention psuch as beekeeping to improve ruralincome is made fully available to women.

4.2 Organizations seeking to help women in Botswana

There are a number of NGO women's organizations inBotswana (YWCA, Botswana Council for women, andothers), providing useful facilities for theirmembers, and generally promoting the value of women'scontribution to development. As a consequence of NGOactivity, the Government (in 1981) established aWomen's Affairs Unit within the Ministry of Labour andHome Affairs. The objectives of the women's Affairs

4.3

Unit are to coordinate women's activities in Botswanaat all levels, to disseminate information, to conductresearch on the overall situation of women inBotswana, and to liaise with other GovernmentDepartments on issues relating to women.

The Women's Affairs Unit has two employees, and theirmain work has so far centred, on organizing districtseminars to identify the major problems of women, anddistributing information on the legal rights of womenin Botswana. The Women's Affairs Unit does not haveits own extension service but works in conjunctionwith extension personnel from other units.

In 1985 the UN Mission (6) identified, a number ofsmall projects that could be promoted by the women'sUnit, and beekeeping was mentioned as an additionalsuitable activity. It was recommended that aconsultant be sent to Botswana for two years toinitiate these projects, and plans are now underwayfor this consultancy to take place.

Between 1980 and 1983 a VSO worked within the Ministryo£ Agriculture as Women's Extension, officer. Thisofficer served a useful role in ensuring thatagricultural extension services reached women, butunfortunately the position has not been refilled.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTING BEEKEEPING TO WOMEN INBOTSWANA

Because there is no tradition of beekeeping inBotswana, beekeeping is not seen as a special activityof either sex. The Head of the Beekeeping Unit andone of the trainees are women, and Botswana thereforehas a good opportunity to promote beekeeping as auseful income generator for1 both men and women.Despite the fact that women are responsible for mostfood production and related activities (6), only amaximum 20% of the people trained by the BeekeepingUnit have been women. This arises because beekeepingis integrated into rural training courses for'farmers' and 'agricultural students, and courseparticipants are predominantly male. Many women whocould benefit from beekeeping do not have the time orpossibility to attend a week-long training course at aRural Training Centre.

5. RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1 POTENTIAL FOR BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA

Many areas of Botswana have good potential forbeekeeping with adequate supplies of forage forhoneybees. There is a strong demand for locallyproduced honey, and a market for beeswax (both ofthese commodities are currently imported). Beekeepingshould therefore be strongly promoted as a worthwhilefood and income-generating activity for poor, ruralpeople.

f5.2 RURAL TRAINING AND EXTENSION

Extension must be considerably increased to ensurethat people who have attended the training courses areable to commence and continue with beekeeping.Existing resources of the Beekeeping Unit should beconcentrated into small target areas where adequatesupervision of beginner beekeepers is possible.

5.3 BEEKEEPING FOR WOMEN IW BOTSWANA

Because women are responsible for most food productionand related activities in Botswana, it must be ensuredthat they receive extension messages relating tobeekeeping.- Beekeeping interventions must be tailoredto fit with women's other activities.

5.4 BEEKEEPING PRACTISED

The type [ of low-technology beekeeping currentlypromoted by the Beekeeping Unit is appropriate for thecountry. New interventions must be undertaken withcare to ensure that they are suitable for rural peopleand will lead to more people being able to practisebeekeeping.

5.S EQUIPMENT

Top-bar hives, protective clothing and smokers shouldbe manufactured within Botswana and no new equipmentshould be introduced unless it can thereafter belocally made.

5.6 BEEKEEPING UNIT

The resources of the Beekeeping Unit must bestrengthened considerably. The two major requirementsare for transport and skilled extension staff.

5.7 AGRICULTURAL OFFICER FOR WOMEN'S EXTENSION

The position of Agricultural Officer for Women'sExtension has not been filled since 1983. Thisofficer has in the past provided a useful link inensuring that agricultural extension messages reachedwomen. The post should be renewed as soon aspossible.

5.8 STAFF TRAINING

A training programme should be implemented to ensurethat staff at all necessary levels are available forthe continued management of the Beekeeping Unit. Todate all staff training has been at Tabora BeekeepingInstitute in Tanzania. However, the minimum period ofstudy at Tabora is two years and efforts should bemade to locate more concise courses teachingbeekeeping appropriate for Botswana.

5.9 STUDY TOURS

It would be useful for representatives of theBeekeeping Unit to attend the forthcoming Conferenceon Apiculture in Tropical Climates to be held in Egyptin 1988.

5.10 CONTROL OF IMPORTATION OF HONEYBEES

It is recommended that the Beekeeping Unit, throughthe Ministry of Agriculture, encourages the Governmentto prepare and enforce legislation preventing theimportation of honeybees or used beekeeping equipmentinto Botswana. (To prevent the introduction ofdisease to Botswana. In addition, imported bees mayhave undesirable behavioural characteristics.)

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5.11 BEEKEEPING ASSOCIATIONS

A beekeeping association should be initiated to helpstrengthen the existing beekeeping community. Anassociation newsletter would be valuable.

5.12 IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS

A project proposal has been prepared (Annex F) tofacilitate implementation of the aboverecommendations.

15 February 1987

16-22 February

23 February

24 February

25 February

26 February

27 February

28 February

Appendix A

ITINERARY

Arrive Gaborone. Capital of Botswana

GaboroneMeetings with personnel from thafollowing:

Ministry of AgricultureWomen's Affairs Unit (Ministry ofLabour and Horns Affairs)UNDPDenman Rural Training Centra

Gaborone to FrancistownDistrict Office, Ministry of Agriculture

Francistown to KasaneChobe District Office, Ministry ofAgriculture

KasaneDepartment of Forestry

Kasane to FrancistownFrancistown Rural Training Centre

Francistown to GaboroneSelabi Phikwe, Glan-"T" Cosmetics

GaboroneMinistry of AgricultureUNDP

1 March Departure from Botswana

LIAISON AND PERSONS CONSULTED

MINISTRY OP AGRICULTURE

Beekeeping JTnit

Ms Khaliso PhokediMr Lucas KgosiemangMs Victoria Morapedi

Gaborone Headquarters

Mr Taukobong

Mr Titoi

Mr MaloisoMr Batshogile

Technical Officer: BeesBeekeeping AssistantBeekeeping Assistant

Director, Agriculture FieldServicesDeputy Director, Agriculture FieldServicesChief of Land UtilisationTraining Officer, Agriculture FieldServices

Penman Rural Training Centre [Gaborone]

Mr MatsebaMs Catherine Marobela

Chobe

Mr MdwalaMr Mtebeni

Francistown

Mr Alfred Ncobodo

PrincipalTeacher, with responsibility forbeekeeping course

District Agriculture OfficerDistrict Forestry Officer

Technical Assistant: Bees

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND HOME AFFAIRS

Dr Dirrasse SIDA Consultant

Women's Affairs Unit

Ms Elsie AlexanderMs Goodisang Mookodi

CoordinatorAssistant coordinator

UNDP, GABORONE

Mr Alfred MulengaMr Ola BrevikMs Paivi Rajamaki

Programme OfficerProgramme OfficerProgramme officer

.Glen-"T_(Botswana) Ptv Ltd, Selebi Phikwe

Ms Varkevisser Director

Appendix B

TRAINING AND EXTENSION MATERIALS

B.I Training Course

The 5-day course on basic beekeeping given at Rural TrainingCentres cover the following subjects:

Bee biologyHow to handle a colonyHow to capture and hive a colonyColony managementHoney and beeswax harvest and processingHow to make a home-made hive.

8.2 Publications

The Beekeeping Handbook, by B.Clauss. 1st Edition 1980, 2ndEdition 19̂ Published by Che Botswana AgriculturalInformation Service.

A 76 page paperback describing in detail the subjectscovered at the training course. „ Over 100 photographs andillustrations are given in this well prepared book.Setswana and English versions are available.

B.3 Video

A video entitled "You don't have to get stung" has beenprepared by "Tirelo Sechaba" (the school-leavers' communityservice programme) demonstrating the techniques covered onthe training course. English and Setswana versions areavailable.

B.4 Other items

The Beekeeping Unit has organized the manufacture ofpromotional tee shirts and skirts showing the emblem of theBee Unit.

Appendix c

BOTSWANA ROAD MAP AND CLIMATE CHART

S T ft I P

O REPUBLIC OF BOTSWANADrawn and praparad by tho Dapartmant o1 Survey* and Land*.G«borona 1380.

liiuid by Dtpirim*ni at Wildlife, Nitlonil Park* and Tounun,

Prlnitd t>y ih« Goitrnmuit Printar. Giboron*.

Appendix F

BEEKEEPING: AN ACTIVITY APPROPRIATE FOR RURAL WOMEN

F.I Introduction

F.2 current extent of beekeeping by women in developingcountries

F.3 Necessary inputs

3.1 Time3.2 Equipment

Bee HivesProtective clothingSmoker

3.3 Bees3.4 Requirements of the bees3.5 Training

F, 4 Outputs

4.1 Honey4.2 Beeswax4.3 Pollination

F.5 Conclusion

F.6 Useful sources of further information

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F.I INTRODUCTION

Rural women in developing countries have long working hours,spent on food production and processing and/or waged labour,in addition to family care and domestic duties. Such womendo not have time available for additional income-generatingactivities unless their existing work burden can be lessenedin some way. However, beekeeping represents one opportunityfor income generation which need not be time consuming andcan fit in well with women's priority activities. Locally-produced honey always finds a ready market and beeswax is inshort supply on the world market (see section F.4). Giventhat beekeeping can be carried out near to home, and is anactivity that women usually find agreeable, it must beconsidered a worthwhile activity which can provide a sourceof direct income for rural women.

Below is given a brief description of the current extent ofwomen's participation in beekeeping in developing countries,followed by basic information to guide those interested inencouraging rural women to start beekeeping.

F.2 CURRENT EXTENT OF -BEEKEEPING BY WOMEN IN DEVELOPINGCOUNTRIES

There are fewer women than men beekeepers, but womenbeekeepers are found throughout the developing countries ofevery continent.

When visiting villages in developing countries where nobeekeeping development has taken place, it is noticeablethat it is often the women who point out traditional hivesto visitors, as these are often placed near the home. It isusually the duty of men to harvest the honey from thesehives, although women will then strain and bottle the honey.

In Arabic countries bees are considered livestock andbeekeeping has traditionally been the duty of men.Similarly in Africa, beekeeping has been handed down, fatherto son, with the right to undertake beekeeping sometimesbelonging to particular families only. In Asia honey istraditionally obtained by robbing the combs of an Asianspecies of honeybee which builds its nest high on clifffaces or in trees: obtaining honey is a dangerous activitywhich has only been carried out by men. However all thesecustoms relate only to traditional beekeeping, . and areapparently not raised as arguments against women undertakingbeekeeping in recent times. The reason why fewer women thanmen are practising modern, low-technology beekeeping isbecause as with other agricultural interventions, thetraining is mainly made accessible to males. However thereare exceptions:

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A number of successful women's beekeeping cooperatives havebeen established: perhaps the best known of these is theKibwezi Women's Beekeeping Cooperative in Kenya. ThisCooperative has over 1000 members divided into 87 groups,and arranges the bulk processing and sale of honey andbeeswax. Each month 600-lOOOkg of honey are processed andsold under the label "Kibwezi Women's Pride". In 1986 theCooperative produced sufficient honey to meet existingmarkets and exported honey to Saudi Arabia for the firsttime.

Women's beekeeping cooperatives have also been establishedin Central and South America. One example is from Honduraswhere the Government provided a bank loan to 18 women,After training, the women bought 34 colonies of bees inhives, and built a honey-extracting house, and the membersof the cooperative divided into three groups to carry outmanagement of the bees. Honey is sold locally, and thebeeswax is recycled by making it into foundation (which isgiven to the bees to draw out into comb for honey storage).The first year's honey harvest was promising, and allowedthem to pay back a large proportion of the bankloan.

In some developing countries of Asia (eg Thailand, Taiwan),high technology beekeeping has been introduced and women areemployed to undertake the skilled and highly delicate workinvolved in royal jelly production. -. The royal jelly isexported to Japan, and is a valuable export crop (US$100 perkg). However it is the owners of the farms rather than thewomen who benefit from the profit.

F.3 NECESSARY INPUTS

Women do not require a large financial input to startbeekeeping: most of the requirements can be obtained withlittle or no cost.

3.1 Time

Beekeeping is an activity that can be carried out astime allows. Unlike other domestic species, bees donot need to be visited every day, nor even every weekthroughout the year. Beekeeping adapts well to theamount of time available: if a woman has sufficienttime and interest, then she can multiply her .number ofbee colonies (which will require "making or buying morehives), and thereby obtain increased harvests of honeyand beeswax. The management of one hive of bees willoccupy 10-20 hours per year. ,

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VARIETIES OP TOP-BAR HIVES

3.2 Equipment

The beekeeper requires bee-hives,and a smoker.

Bee-Hives

protective clothing

Almost all developing countries have traditionalmethods of beekeeping using hives made from whatevermaterials are available locally. Traditional hivesare therefore made from hollowed-out logs, bark, clay,woven rushes, banana stems, etc. Basicallytraditional beekeepers provide a receptacle (hive) forthe bees to build their nest in, and subsequentlyplunder this nest for honey. In recent years newtypes of low-technology top-bar hives have been intro-duced throughout the developing world. These hivesallow colonies to be inspected and honey tobe harvested without destroying the bees' nest, and,like traditional hives, can be prepared from whatevermaterials are locally available. The top-bar hiveconsists of a receptacle (wooden box, cardboard box,hollowed out iQg, basket, etc) along the top of whichare placed neatly cut strips of wood, known as top-bars. A strip of wax along the underside of each top-bar encourages the bees to build their comb downwardsfrom the strip. When the bees have established theirnest the hive then consists of a series of parallelcombs each hanging from a top-bar. By carefullylifting top-bars from the hive, combs can be examinedand if no honey has been stored, returned to the hiveundamaged. Such an operation is not possible with atraditional hive, where combs are attached to the wallof the hive. (See over for examples of top-barhives).

Beekeeping development projects often arrange the bulkmanufacture of hives and these are made available tobeekeepers using revolving credit.

Siting the hives

Women need not be land-owners to undertake beekeeping:hives can be hung from trees, sited on any piece ofwaste ground, or, placed on roofs of buildings. Hivescan be kept near to home, but are best placed so thatthe entrance is not facing a frequently used path orplay area. In Asia, hives are traditionally hungunder the eaves of houses, and in the Middle East theyare commonly kept on the flat roofs of homes.

Protective clothing

Not all beekeepers agree that protective clothing is anecessity for beekeeping, arguing that if bees arehandled correctly then they should not sting. It

Kenya top-bar hive wich the lid removedto show Che top-bars. A top-barlifted from the centre of the hiveshows one of the combs.

Aiop-barhWglnBraJil.madalromllihoplaias.ThishlvelsbelngUsedasohaiihne.o Tha T=n«flla ^P'6" Wva hal «™Shl ild"'colleei wild colonies ol bees.

A hive made in Rwanda from papyrus andcoated uith cow-dung. The top-bars(not shown) are cut from papyrus.

The 'Top'Bar Log Hlw'. Another deJlgn ol lop-bar lirue developed In

(iv)

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should be noted that, especially in Asia (where theAsian hive-bee is particularly docile and easy tohandle), rural women undertake beekeeping withoutspecial protective clothing. Bees vary in theirdefensiveness, and in some cases protective clothingis essential. Another advantage of protectiveclothing is that it givas tha beginner beekeeperconfidence. Bee-proof clothing consists of a veil,gloves, overall and boots, in as light a colour aspossible (bees are more inclined to sting darkcolours). The most important item is the veil, whichcan consist of a wide-brimmed hat around which is sewna length of see-through material, with a draw-stringor elastic around the base to draw tight around thashoulders. See page vii for illustrations of varioustypes of veils, and page viii for an example ofinstructions for making a veil. For many beekeepingoperations tha veil is tha only item of protectiveclothing required. Normal clothing can be made as'baa-proof' as possible using rubber bands. Incountries where women wear a long dress or sari, thiscan provide adequate bee-protection, as long as theupper part ofi the body is well-covered (sae forexample the Egyptian beekeeper on page ix).

Smoker

Smoke is used to quieten bees. Cost-free smokers canbe prepared from perforated drink cans, but mostbeekeeping development programs arrange localmanufacture of metal smokers with bellows - these areusually within the skill of village metal workers (seadiagram page x). Cow-dung is tha most commonly usedsmoker fuel.

In some tropical countries local plant species areknown which have a similar effect to smoke inquietening bees - usually the sap of the plant issmeared on to the beekeeper.

3.3 Bees

Baas are obtained without cost. In the tropics themost common method is to hang an empty hive in a traeand wait for a wild swarm to occupy it. Bees can alsobe obtained from the wild by catching a swarm 'or anexisting colony, or by dividing a colony, alreadyestablished in a hive.

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Various cypes of bee veils

S22 "COMMERCIAL"Hood with veil and vestThis one piece garment Is comfortable to wear and designedto be worn over a beekeepers coverall.

White polyester cotton

Special feamres ere:-

* Quick and easy to put on.* "Beekeeper" badge on front.* Elastics adjustable at bottom

edge and wrists.* Gives good protection.

Chest size: Small ... 34"-36"Medium ... 38" -40"Large ... 42" - 44"Extra Large 46" - 48"

State chest size when ordering

INDESTRUCTIBLE BEE VEIL

A well-designed, serviceable veil that fits most halmsta. The angle of the wirascreening on the front of the veil provides clear vision. Tho bottom portion oftha vail is made of strong, porous natting. Ties in front or back with strongcord. You will like the rugged construction.

Cat, No.NIO — Delphos Indestructible Bee Veil, Wt. 1 Ib.

ALEXANDER BEE VEIL

Made of black metal screen and is worn without a helmet. An elastic bandholds it in place. Ties in front.

.>frff

Ntt — Alexander Veil, Wt 1 Ib.

DELPHOS FOLDING VEIL

This vail is less apt to be damaged when not in use because it folds flat. All fouraides aro carefully bound and tha tough fabric forms tha folding saams. Thisaffords clear vision. Tha bottom part of the veil is made of strong, porousnetting that adds greatly to the comfort of the beekeeper. Fita most halmeta.Tien in front or back aa desired. Strong elastic in skirt.

Cat No.N12 — Delphos Folding Steel Veil, Wt. 1 Ib.

SLIP-ON NET

A flno-mesh nylon net that slips over the head, Elastic band around arm holesand bottom provide a bee-tight veil. Weighs only one and ona-half ounces. Pitsin the pocket. Can also be used to keep out gnats and mosquito as wall aa bees.

C-t-No.N13 — Slip-on net, Wt 1 Ib.

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Taken from 'Small Scale Beekeeping'by Curtis Gentry.Peace Corps Information Collectionand Exchange Manual M-17.Peace Corps I.C.E.,'806 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.WashingCon D.C. 20526

Women beekeeping in Bangladesh (aboveand l e f t ) , Botswana (below L e f t ) , andremoving a comb from a cylindrical raudhive in Middle Egypt (below).

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3 . 4 Requirements of the bees

Bees require flowering plants from which they canobtain nectar and pollen, and a source of water.Flowering plants need not be available throughout theyear: bees have evolved to survive cycles of supplyand dearth of forage in their own habitat.

Bees do not compete with other forms of agriculturefor the resources they require, and the nectar andpollen they collect and process into honey and beeswaxare otherwise unharvested.

3.5 Training

Beekeeping is an activity which people do not readilyundertake without formal introduction to the subject:only then do they realise its relative simplicity andhave the confidence to begin. Would-be beekeepersmust be given the opportunity to handle bees, andshown how and where to site a hive. Most beekeepingdevelopment programmes provide hives under systems ofrevolving credit, or provide the first one or twohives free of charge. Extension is required to adviseon when and how to harvest honey and beeswax:beginner beekeepers always tend to harvest too earlybefore the maximum crop has been stored by the bees:this leads to disillusionment. At present, ifbeekeeping is promoted at all, it is often taught to'farmers', i.e. males who can attend training courses,and the message does not reach women. Efforts must bemade to ensure that beekeeping extension is madeavailable to rural women, and incorporated intoexisting programmes for rural women.

F.4 OUTPUTS

4.1

Honey is a high carbohydrate food, valued in mostdeveloping countries as a medicine or tonic. Inalmost all countries of the world, local honey fetchesa higher price than imported honey: the local productis favoured because it is thought to be fresh and lesslikely to be contaminated. The Koran gives strongemphasis to the beneficial value of honey, and for thisreason honey has a particularly high value .in Arabiccountries where it can fetch over 60US$ per kg.

Honey can be sold and eaten straight from the comb, asit comes from the hive, and in this case no processingis required, Usually honey comb is broken up and thehoney strained from the wax using muslin or otherlocally available strainers: the strained honey isthen .stored in bottles or plastic containers for sale.If harvested at the right time and not contaminated,

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SIMPLE" SMPfeg

Taken from 'Small Scale Beekeeping'by Curtis Gentry.Peace Corps Information Collectionand Exchange Manual M-17.Peace Corps I.C.E.,806 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.Washington D.C. 20526

hinge

: 5olcter -Kibes m

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honey will not deteriorate with age. The techniquesinvolved in straining and bottling honey arestraightforward for rural women. It is sometimesdifficult to obtain quantities of suitable containersfor packaging honey, although disused lemonade bottlesare commonly used, and will hold approximately 500g ofhoney.

4.2 Beeswax

Beeswax is a valuable product of higher price per unitweight than honey, and currently in strong demand onthe world market. Much beeswax is still discarded indeveloping countries, because beekeepers do notrealise its potential value. Beekeeping as practisedin "industrialized countries" does not result in thenet production of beaswax, which is recycled withinthe hive; most beeswax on the world market comes fromdeveloping countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya andTanzania, where traditional or low-technologybeekeeping are practised. Beeswax is also valuedlocally in countries where it is used in crafttechniques such as batik, lost-wax casting, cosmeticmanufacture and leather working.

Harvesting and processing (rendering) beeswax involvesimple processes of straining and melting usingtechniques with which women are familiar and which donot require special equipment. Beeswax does not needsophisticated packaging, and does not deteriorate withage. Beekeeping cooperatives usually arrange thecollection of small quantities of beeswax from eachbeekeeper, and arrange bulk sale.

4.3 Pollination

Pollination is an under-valued benefit of beekeeping:pollination by honeybees will ensure the maximum.quality and yield of nearby crops, and adequatepollination also ensures synchronous maturation offruits or seeds (making harvesting more efficient) and'allowing early harvesting (or a longer time forripening if necessary).

Pollination by honeybees is the most gene'rally-efficient type of pollination, and it may be essentialif other native insect species have been killed bypesticides, or if introduced crop species are beinggrown which are poorly pollinated by other nativeinsects, or, especially if irrigation has beenintroduced, may be flowering when other native insects -are low in numbers.

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Other^producta

In industrialized countries, other products of thehive are harvested including pollen, propolis, beevenom and royal jelly. These products fetch highprices on the world market, for sale as 'healthproducts'. However their production requires hightechnology beekeeping, with skilled managementpractises which are not feasible in many developingcountries (except see F.2). One possible exception isthe harvesting of pollen, which can be relativelysimple. Pollen has a high protein content, and couldprovide a valuable contribution to the diet of ruralpeople: a number of workers are now beginning toinvestigate this possibility.

F.5 CONCLUSION

Beekeeping should be promoted to rural women asand beneficial work for the following reasons:

appropriate

1. Beekeeping does not take up a lot of time, and thetime chosen to work with the bees is at the discretionof the beekeeper.

2. Women need not own land to practise beekeeping, andthe food requirements of bses (n,ectar and pollen) arefreely available. In addition, a large financialinput is not required to start beekeeping.

3. Beekeeping can be carried out near to home.

4. The products of beekeeping are valuable, and requireonly simple processing. Sale of honey and/or beeswaxcan provide women with direct sources of income.

5. Honey is a high carbohydrate food which canvariety to the diet of a community.

add

The presence of honeybees willpollination of many nearby crops.

ensure optimal

In order to ensure that women are given the opportunity tostart beekeeping, it is important that all beekeepingdevelopment programs ensure from the outset that extensionmessages reach rural women, and that they are able to takefull advantage of training and credit facilities.

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F.6 USEFUL SOURCES OF FURTHER INFORMATION

Advice on bees and beekeeping in developing countries and anumber of publications can be obtained, free of charge,from:

The Information Officer for Tropical ApicultureInternational Bee Research Association18 North Road, Cardiff, CF1 3DY, UK.

The following publications provide useful information onbeekeeping in developing countries.

Tropical, _ and sub-tropical, Apiculture. FAO AgriculturalServices Bulletin No 68. Rome, 1986, 283p, paperback ISBN92-5-102'.'.4-8.

Information on tropical beekeeping, not available inordinary manuals. Valuable for beginner beekeepers and forthose establishing projects.

Honey! A Survey of_Maior Markets. InternationalCentre UNCTAD/GATT, Geneva, 1986, 167p, paperback.

Trade

Information of value to developing countries who havequality honey for export.

The __Golden_JTn3ect. A _Handbook on Beekeeping forBeginners by S. Adjare (1981, reprinted 1984). TechnologyConsultancy Centre, University of Science and Technology,Kuraasi, in association with Intermediate TechnologyPublications Ltd. London, UK. 104p, photographs and linedrawings.

The aim of this book is to give Ghanaian and other Africanbeekeepers information that can be put to immediate use.

Beekeeping Handbook by B. Clauss and L. Tiernan (2nd edition1982). Ministry of Agriculture, Gaborone, Botswana, 65p,photographs and diagrams.

Simple teaching book"based on experience with A.m. adansoniiin southern Africa.

Apiculture in Tropical Climates. Full report on the FirstInternational Conference on Apiculture in Tropical Climates,London, 1976. IBRA, London, UK, 220p, reprinted 1981, 1983.

An excellent introduction to tropical beekeeping andtechnology beekeeping techniques.

low-

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Second__International _Conf erencB_on_Apiculture __in _TropicalClimates. New Delhi, India, 1980 (1983). IndianAgricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, India, 728p,photographs and diagrams.

Proceedings of Third Intematlonal_Conference_ on_ Apiculturein Tropic_al Climates. Nairobi, Kenya, 1984 (1985). IBRA,London, UK.

* Contains a section on Apiculture in integrated ruraldevelopment, and the special role of women.

Technical Co-operation Activities! _ Beekeeping, a Directoryand_ Guide by Prof W. Drescher and Dr Eva Crane (1982).German Aid Agency, GT2, Eschborn, German Federal Republic,172p, photographs in colour, and black and white.

Directory of past and present beekeeping programmes indeveloping countries, with guidelines for carrying out suchprogrammes and feasibility studies.

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