Diversification booklet 1


Beekeeping
and
Sustainable
Livelihoods

Nicola Bradbear

 

Agricultural Support Systems Division
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Rome 2004

Table of Contents


The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

ISBN 92-5-105074-0
ISSN 1810-0775

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© FAO 2004


Table of Contents

Preface

Beekeeping helps to create sustainable livelihoods

Beekeeping assets
Natural capital assets
Human assets
Physical assets
Social assets
Financial assets
Beekeeping outcomes

Bees are diligent pollinators of fruit and seed crops

What is pollination?
Bees are good pollinators
Cross-pollination
Pollination affects crop quality and quantity
Protecting pollinators
More pollinating insects needed

Bees around the world

Africa
Asia
The Americas

Honey - popular food

What is honey?
Honey quality
Harvesting honey
Water content

Values of honey

As a food
As a medicine or tonic
As a cash crop
As an export crop
As cultural food

Beeswax - useful and valuable product

Beeswax quality
Income from beeswax
Uses of beeswax

Other products from bees

Pollen
Propolis
Royal jelly

Value-added products

Apitherapy: healing with bee products

In brief: how to keep bees

Obtaining bees
Choice of hives
Traditional hives
Top-bar hives
Movable-frame hives

Beekeeping equipment

Smoker
Protective clothing
Hive tool
Harvesting and processing

Promoting beekeeping projects as a source of livelihoods

Natural resources: indigenous species
Human resources: beekeeping skills, training and extension
Physical resources: equipment and transport
Financial resources: credit
Social resources: sector support and marketing
Project evaluation
Case studies

Some apicultural terms

Further information websites, books, videos and CDs

Back Cover