Bees for Development

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Bees for Development
Dr Nicola Bradbear
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Brief introduction to Bees for Development

• Who we are
• Philosophy
• Work in progress 2006-07
• Information Service
• BfD Journal
• African honey research project
• Other work Asia, Africa, Caribbean

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We are based in UK We have full time, part-time
and volunteer staff
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The philosophy of Bees for Development
Bees for Development

• Philosophy
• To alleviate poverty by means of beekeeping
• To encourage conservation and biodiversity
  maintenance

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Apiculture - is significant for strengthening
livelihoods of the rural poor
South America
Africa
Asia
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Activities

• We provide information on beekeeping to
  development organisations world-wide

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Information service

• We answer, free of charge, every enquiry from a
  beekeeper or project in a developing country
• In 2005 we responded to over 3,000 enquiries
• Resource-packs are sent to workshops and training
  programmes

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• We publish Bees for Development Journal
• Provide free publications
• Website

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Physical constraints

• Rural beekeepers have problems to access suitable
  containers
• Access to roads and transport

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Financial resources

• Informal routes
• Marketing initiatives need access to credit

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Social resources

• Beekeepers gain much from self-help organisations
• They need well informed support

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Activities
Activities 2006-07

• Research
• African honey project
• A 30-month DFID-BLCF(UK Govt) funded project
• Concerned with enabling African honey producers
  to meet EU import requirements

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The honey market wants residue-free honey

• Today, buyers first test on honey is to test for
  drug residues

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In the future social and ecological
certification of honey

• Criteria for fair-traded honey
• Sustainability of production
• Organisation of beekeepers honey hunters
• Fair payment
• Product description
• Quality

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August 2005

• Bees for Development Honey Trade Workshop
• A two day Workshop in Dublin
• For producer groups from Africa

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Learning trade tips on honey tasting
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We hope that this Workshop leads to more trade
for African honey!