Bees for Development Journal 143 June 2022
The table (right) demonstrate the gross income for beekeepers over two years (2020-2021) from honey harvest (11.50 and 20.84 tonnes respectively). Income increased because:
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Motivating beekeepers to join existing beekeeping cooperatives and unions through training, and sensitisation on the importance of biodiversity, conservation and protection.
•
Beekeepers started feeding colonies during dearth periods so many more were saved than previously.
•
•
A diversity of hives (including top-bar hives) were introduced into the community through improved knowledge received through information in Bees for Development Journal.
Awareness of weather conditions and environmental resources which are beneficial (or not) for honey bees.
There was support from the Wildlife Conservation Society Rwanda Programme for the purchase and distribution of top-bar hives and beekeeping equipment, capacity building for bee farmers in different beekeeping domains, infrastructure for improving quality and storing and marketing of honey.
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Improving beekeepers’ knowledge in respect of apiary management, bee biology and behaviour, bee product processing and marketing, bee species and race, biodiversity, conservation and forest livelihoods, economy and melliferous flora and pollination.
Beekeeping has helped to reduce illegal activities in NNP and communities are involved in management and forest restoration. Honey bees have enabled NNP trees and other plants to reproduce fertile fruit and seeds for future generation of plants through pollination.
Image © Vincent Hakizimana
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Socio-economic conditions
Top-bar hives delivered for Coabisetwu Cooperative
Cooperatives incomes in 2020 and 2021 Name of Cooperative
2020
2021
Change +/-
$736
$518
$(218)
$3,981
$16,074
$12,093
Kaubwe
$581
$1,189
$608
Codape
$1,547
$1,217
$(330)
Kauka
$653
$567
$(86)
Kuaga
$628
$648
$20
Kauki
$428
$8,717
$8,289
Kodubabu
$232
$1,379
$1,147
Kauru
$614
$513
$(101)
Coaseki
$67
$325
$258
Kodabu
$596
$102
$(494)
Abtari Muri Koperative $16,558
$19,288
$2,730
$511
$422
$(89)
$2,698
$4,634
$1,936
$442
$308
$(134)
$3,498
$8,204
$4,706
Intimirwa
Image © Vincent Hakizimana
Cooduru
Coabisetwu Dukwizuburyohe Coasecya Impuzaruvumvu
Inspection of top-bar hives 9
Table 2: Source: Ubwiza bwa Nyungwe Beekeepers Union (2021), Annual Progress Report (US$1 = €1,16)