المنتدى العالمي المعني بالأمن الغذائي والتغذية

Many thanks to everyone so far who has participated in this discussion so far.

What is apparent is the interest in beekeeping and bee products is from people with a wide range of backgrounds from beekeepers to consumers to producers. The issues themselves are also vast, from food standards to marketing to livelihoods and income generation. Bees and beekeeping is having a bit of a renaissance, with news of bee decline in the news across the globe and urban beekeeping taking off in many continents.

These discussions are also timely as Apimondia, the world federation of beekeeper associations, holds its major apiculture congress in Korea this September. Early next year we will also see the launch of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) report focussing on pollination. 

We are looking forward to reading the next round of comments.

>> English translation below <<

Разработка единого подхода к решению этой проблемы во всём мире почти невозможное дело. Но, при поддержке глобального сообщества можно хотя бы по регионам включить исследовательские работы по развитию этого вида уникального товара. Не только расширять их колонии или среду обитания, но также учитывать их потребности и вводит в посевные или садоводческие насаждения новые виды растений, которые смогут увеличивать их производительность.

Первая и очень важная проблема - это сокращение территории цветущих растений. Да, на сегодняшний день многие говорят о том, что индустрия убивает и всякое другое, но они даже на одно мгновение не хотят представить себе каково быть пчелой. Для этого нужно многое изучить. Дело не в этом, дело в том, что исходя из этого опроса что будет сформировано? Будет написан отчёт или сделан единый утверждённый план? Всё это и заставляет человека думать, что писать. В этом случае я лишь отвечу на те вопросы, которые поставлены по пунктам.

1. У нас в регионе, т.е. в Узбекистане производят немалое количество мёда, но она до прихода у потребителю становится уже кашой, а не естественным мёдом. Развивать пчеловодство - на это у нас решиться не каждый, так, как есть свои трудности. Кроме того в народе есть умельцы, кто из поколения в поколения держат пчёл медоносных. Потребительский спрос на этот вид продукта тоже немалый, если учесть что и эта каша продаётся не слабо.
2. На нашем рынке мёд почти круглый год доступен, но опять же не то качество, которая может соответствовать понятию - чистый мёд, а нечто смешанное.
3. Не знаю где как, но я через создаваемые своими руками компаниями хочу добиться одного, чтобы вопрос опыления растений будь то в естественных просторах или даже в закрытых помещениях (масштабные теплицы) было возложено на этих пчёл. Так получиться и нектар собрать можно побольше и продукты сельского хозяйства получить в достатке.
4. Совместная работа по вчеловодству возможен лишь в одном случае, когда каждая сторона подтверждает своё равноправие и добивается общей цели вместе. Это и со стороны пчёл надо предусмотреть, хотя по нашему пониманию мы можем спокойно их управлять, на самом деле они тоже имеют свои права. С другой стороны необходимо создать и конечно же финансировать некую часть, ассоциацию пчеловодов мира, с подразделениями по регионам и странам, что в дальнейшем приведёт к осмысленному контролю качества продукции по всему миру. Не надо настаивать, чтобы каждый участник платил взносы, необходимо проработать возможные пути поставки и реализации мёда из рахных точек мира, что само по себе предусматривает участие ассоциации, которая свою часть дохода может получать от реализации признанных высококачественным товаром. 

Ну все эти мнение лишь айсберг в океане, но если необходимость возникает, то я готов проработать в рамках некоего сотрудничества достигать реализации проекта, скажем под названием "бренд мёда (с национальной или региональной окраской или уточнением".

Спасибо за внимание.

It is almost impossible to develop one-for-all approach to resolve this issue. But with the support from the global community it is at least possible to include research on development of this unique product in the regions. It should not be limited to expansion of their colonies or habitat, but take into account their needs and introduce new types of crops and horticultural plants that will be able to increase their productivity. 

Reduction of area under flowering plants is the very first and important problem. These days many people say that it is industry that is destroying it, but they don’t even want to imagine what it feels like for a bee.  It requires thorough study. But it is still not the point. The point is what will be formed on the basis of this issue. Will a report be written or a common plan approved? The aforesaid makes a person think what to write. In this case I will only answer the questions point by point.

1. A considerable amount of honey is produced in my home region - in Uzbekistan. But before it reaches consumer its body reminds more of a mush, than of a natural honey.  Not everyone in our country will decide to develop beekeeping, since they will have to face difficulties. Besides there are people who’ve been keeping honey-bees for generations. Consumer demand for this kind of product is also considerable.
2. In our market honey is available almost all year round. But still it is not of a quality that complies with the concept of “pure honey”, it is more of a mix.
3. Through my own companies I want to achieve that pollination, whether it is done in natural open spaces or indoors (large-scale greenhouses), was made by bees. It means that we’ll be able to collect more nectar and plenty of agricultural products.
4. Joint work on beekeeping is possible only in one case, when each party confirms its equality and through seeking common goal together. And it is important to provide everything for bees. While we think that we can easily manage them, bees also have rights. On the other hand, it Is important to establish the World Beekeepers Association and to provide some part of funding for it. Such association will have offices in countries and regions, that in future will lead to meaningful quality control worldwide. It should not be insisted that each participant pays a fee; but it is important to develop possible ways of delivery and distribution of honey from around the world. This process will involve association, which in its turn will be able to derive part of its income from sales of products of recognized quality.  

Anyway all these opinions are just a drop in the ocean. But if there is a need for that I’m willing to cooperate within the framework of a project, such as “honey brand” (with the focus on national or regional level).

Thank you for your attention. 

Honey is used for treatment of respiratory problems by some communities in Kenya. It is also used as a substitute for sugar. It is readily available in Nairobi since there are people whose job is to sell honey. Although the honey is not very cheap, it is still affordable.

Some individual farmers and community based organizations are involved in apiculture for income generation. They are able to get good prices for the honey because demand is always high due to its nutritional and medicinal values. However, most of the bee farming is small scale. Main challenges faced by the farmers include inadequate skills, knowledge and resources.

Dissemination of knowledge on bee farming and its benefits coupled with economic empowerment of youths and women can be used to promote apiculture as a means of poverty alleviation.

There are  no known dietry benefits for bee products in my community which are however being used for treatment of all sorts of ailments such wounds/sores, coughs  and  allergies.  Hence, the high demand for bee products. Although bee products are not used as food, money earned from their sale is used to buy food and other needs for families. Bee keeping has been an occupation for some individuals in Kenya. Bekeeping has the potential to alleviate poverty and boost food security.  Earlier on honey and other bee products used to be readily avaialable. As the population expands and more land is taken up by settlement and crop farming,  honey and other bee products have become scarce and expensive. Traditionally bee keeping was practised in dry marginal areas of Kenya which  were not suitable for crop farming and therefore less populated.

There  is  an understanding that bee keeping is an income generating activity that is less combersome and environment friendly.  Stakeholders from NGOs, academic institutions, public and private agencies are therefore promoting the practise in Kenya. Members of communities are being encouraged to actively engage in beekeeping. Hopefully this make bee keeping a sustainale practise.

Please find some responces to the discussion Questions from the community in Uganda.

“Bee products: providing nutrition and generating income - Honeybees, beekeeping and bee products in our daily lives”.

Discussion questions and Answers provided:

1. What are the dietary and nutritional benefits known in your community for bee products?

Answer 1:

The Nutritional and dietary benefits include;

• Honey is food, Liquid honey is used as sweetener in beverages(Tea/coffee or cocoa hot drink
• It is also used as ingredient  for fruit jams or as flavorings agent in gums or marmalades
• Creamed honey is a recipe used in peanut butter and this used as spread on bread, cake or even for eating freshly boiled cassava and potatoes.
• Honey is also used as ingredient in bakery products and confectioneries
• Nutritional benefits that are associated to health include;
• Honey mix with propolis is herbal concoction for cough syrup; it also helps ease general body pain and muscle fatigue.
• The health benefits are general strength, mental efficiency and honey also improves food digestion and assimilation due to the enzyme properties it has.
• It is also remedy for cold/flu, mouth and throat infection and bronchial infections
• In wounds, sores, it is used as antibiotic and a steriler and improves healing.
• It contributes to reduction of heart diseases.

2. Is honey affordable and available in your community all year round?

Answer 2:

• Generally speaking honey and other bee products are available throughout the year. There are two seasons for honey harvest that follows the crop flowering calendar, however with the improved technologies farmers are adopting, (like use of improved hives and harvest skills), most farmers are able to harvest honey at any  time of the season of the year for house hold consumption.
• There is also wild honey within the community that is harvested from natural forests and protected areas and this increases the availability of honey for the community.
• The price per kilogram ranges from (US Dollar 3-5; Equivalent UGX 10,000- 15,000). This is unaffordable to non-beekeepers. It therefore means households who enjoy the nutritional benefit of bee products are mainly the beekeepers and the middle class.

3. What are the prospects for beekeeping in the future? Beekeeping, poverty alleviation and food security: where are we headed?

Answer 3:

Beekeeping has emerged as a very successful agricultural practice that is contributing to food security and enterprise development within the local people in rural areas with self-driven interest especially among those of less incomes base.

This is attributed to the benefits; of high return on investment, less labour intensity, requirement of few inputs, less land and capitalizes on a ready supply of pollen which the communities have now realized and taken advantage of. In rural areas there is almost an unlimited source of pollen and bees aid greatly in the natural cross pollination of local crops.

The local authorities have also taken active lead to mobilize the communities in development of apiary sub sector of agriculture.

At the National level, The Ministry of Agriculture (MAIIF) in partnership with development agencies under the umbrella of The Uganda National Apiculture Development Organization TUNADO and ApiTrade have initiated a National Apiculture policy (NAP) a policy process for the developing and integrating the apiculture into national programmes.

Overall there is gradual but progressive trend of development in the beekeeping sector and this is increasingly contributing to poverty reduction and food security in the community.

4. With diseases, pests, habitat loss, colony collapse and climatic changes increasingly affecting apiculture around the world, what can we do to create sustainable conditions for agriculture and apiculture to coexist and to benefit from each other?

Answer 4:

The role of forests with focus on climate change has increased interest in ecosystem restoration as a means for adaptation. Climate change has become one of the key drivers pushing integrated approaches for natural resources management into practice. Beekeeping provides this leverage because of the direct and indirect links.

In my view priority is to do with policy; The Communities, Leaders, Development partners, Conservation institutions and governments have to work on policies and approaches that promote Climate smart agriculture and organic farming.

The biggest challenge in the beekeeping sector is the use of inorganic control of crop pests and diseases which have great negative bearing on bee population and survival. The sustainable approach would be to support the communities to adopt integrated organic farming with limited use of chemicals of any form.

The“natural infrastructure” (Forests/wetlands) degradation for farming systems has also taken a toll on the habitat loss leading to collapse of colonies and overall bee population dwindling.  The development partners that have resource envelopes for agricultural development should channel such resources to more sustainable approaches to promote agro forestry farming systems.

Ben Butele-ADRAMAH

PROGRAMME COORDINATOR 

>> English translation below <<

Уважаемые коллеги,

Пчеловодство в Кыргызстане – это традиционный вид деятельности, который базируется на разнотравье предгорных территорий и высокогорных пастбищ. В настоящее время в год собирается всего около 1,5 тысяч тонн меда. В период расцвета пчеловодства производилось от 8 до 11 тысяч тонн меда. Сокращение производства меда произошло из-за потери рыночной инфраструктуры и роста затрат на производство. Помимо производства меда пчёлы играют важную роль в опылении цветущих растений.  В стратегическом плане пчеловодство Кыргызстана будет направлено на возрождение уровня производства меда и рост экспорта продукции пчеловодства. При этом получит поддержку территориальное распространение пчеловодства в регионы, где оно не является традиционным видом деятельности. Необходимость увеличения продуктивности растениеводства за счет улучшения опыления садов и полей станет дополнительной поддержкой развитию пчеловодства.

С уважением, Матраим Жусупов - эксперт по сельскому хозяйству и водным ресурсам, Бишкек, Кыргызстан

Dear colleagues,

Beekeeping in Kyrgyzstan is a traditional activity, based on foothill areas and mountain pastures. Currently, in one year the production is of only about 1.5 thousand tons of honey, while in the heydays beekeepers produced from 8 to 11 thousand tons of honey. This reduction in honey production is due to deterioration of market infrastructure and increased production costs.

In addition to the production of honey, bees play an important role in the pollination of flowering plants. In strategic terms, beekeeping in Kyrgyzstan will aim to reach the previous level of production of honey and growth of bee product exports. This will be supported by the territorial spread of beekeeping in the regions where it is not a traditional activity. The need to increase crop productivity by improving the pollination of orchards and fields will further support the development of beekeeping.

Sincerely, Matrei Zhusupov - expert on agriculture and water resources, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

Dear all,

Honey is a pretty amazing substance and there is a lot more to it than just a sweet tasting treat. Honey plays a crucial role in the life of a honey bee and can also be very beneficial to the human body.

Honey is a supersaturated sugar solution with approximately 17.1 percent water. Fructose is the predominant sugar at 38.5 percent, followed by glucose at 31 percent. Disac- charides, trisac -charides and oligosaccharides are present in much smaller quantities. Besides carbohydrates, honey contains small amounts of protein, enzymes, vitamins and minerals. Honey is known to be rich in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, including catalase, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and alkaloids. Although appearing only in trace amounts honey also contains about 18 different amino acids. Honey is much more than just a simple sugar. Rich in minerals and nutrients, honey also has some antibiotic properties that may aid in the healing process. For thousands of years honey has been used by mankind in many capacities to help give the human body energy and health.

Honey as the most widespread bee product is listed in medicine among the most valuable foodstuffs, especially because of its sugar content and other ingredients, such as enzymes, etheric oils and mineral salts. During convalescence after serious diseases and operations, doctors give their patients a 20-40% specially processed, sterilized honey dilution, which is showing great results.

In the Batchenga community, Centre region of Cameroon, there are about 28 farmers practice bee farming which is promoted by “Centre pour l’Environnement et le Développement” (CED) Cameroon. In this community, honey serves as a major source of income for the farmers and they confirm that bee farming provides them with about twice their initial yearly income as crop farmers.

However, bee farming is hindered because of the use of pesticides which greatly reduce the population of bees. A research, published in Nature scientific report  on Thursday, combined large-scale pesticide usage and yield observations from oilseed rape with data on honeybee loses between 2000 and 2010.

L'apiculture n'est développée au Togo. La destruction anarchique des forêts fait que les abeilles se rarifient et par conséquent la production du vrai miel qui a beaucoup de vertue thérapeutique et donc nutritionnelle, n'est plus de qualité.

Dear All;

For Bee farming you need some tech solution & agrometrics assistance. Also weather forecast & many; because bees are very sensitive & their mortality rate is quite high. I'm an applied remote sensing expart & forecasting with other agrometrics support is possible from me.

My suggestion will be not to be an over excited about bees; indeed it's quite profitable but it need caring. I can assist you my contact: [email protected]

Dear all,

In support of two World Bank livelihood/natural resource projects in Tunisia, we have developed analytical frameworks for undertaking an analysis of the profitability of various income generating activities (in French). One of the modules is bee-keeping. 

Attached is the framework for analysis which is has been discussed with technical experts in Tunisia and is being reviewed by members of the bee-keeping association in Morocco.  We are developing a tutorial and are planning a technical training for the last week of September 2015. The audience will be technical advisors to the national projects and hopefully the modules will be adapted by producers as they move to re-investment in their bee-keeping activities.  It is obviously critical that investments (whether project funded or not) be reviewed in terms of their profitability/sustainability.

Nancy Morgan

Agricultural Economist, Investment Officer (Agro-Economiste, Charge de l'Investissement)

FAO, Sub-Regional Office for North Africa

Tunis, Tunisia