Host Country

Venezuela

Beneficiaries

Aroíta village

Background

• Aroíta is a mountainous village of over 150 families, in the State of Cojedes
• Agriculture represents the main economic activity of the village with yam production amounting to 1.6 million kg per year.
• Apiculture is also an important source of livelihood for the population with a yearly production of 9 380 kg.
• A few years ago, each beehive annually produced around 40 kg of honey (in the State of Cojedes). Today, due to deforestation and climatic changes, the annual production is reduced to 35 kg. Therefore, from an ecological point of view beekeeping is extremely important. It helps reforestation and fights the indiscriminate burning that is taking place for sowing yams.
• Bees’ venom can have important therapeutic applications, for example on arthritis. The demand for bee venom from other countries is very high and they are willing to pay a high price. Products deriving from apiculture have high nutritional and medicinal values (honey, pollen, propolis and royal jelly).
• Venezuela has excellent conditions for apiculture. At the national level the demand for honey derived products is very high. The market is very promising but only those that have knowledge on production techniques can survive.

Goals

Support the development of beekeeping though the SPFS.

SSC

Through South-South Cooperation, technical experts promoted sunflower sowing to stop forest burning in Aroíta and increase honey production. A sugar mill was constructed to produce large quantities of brown sugar to feed the bees during winter. This avoids moving beehives in the rainy season due to the lack of flowers.

Results

• To encourage the development of apicultural activities, beekeepers in Aroíta have established two organizations: ASOCOMIFE, a mixed cooperative and ASOPIAZ, an association of artisan beekeepers.
• These organizations teach beekeepers the techniques to increase productivity and help them market their products better.