Ramatlabama beekeeping centre operational

Pauline Dikuelo | Friday July 4, 2014 06:59

 

The centre is expected to greatly improve honey production as well as transform and commercialise small-scale farming.

 Currently a total of 23 beekeepers are being mentored from a target of 25 and only 42 colonies have been captured out of the target of 377. Chief agricultural information and public relations officer, Boikhutso Rabasha told the BusinessWeek that demonstrations included observation on impact of sunflower to beekeeping production. 

“The centre has started operating with beekeeping technologies having been demonstrated to keepers as well as aspiring farmers. Demonstrations such as bee fodder plants establishment have also been showcased,” she said.  Rabasha added that 432-bee fodder plants have already been planted and earth roads been ploughed. About 65 beehives and some equipment have been purchased. 

“We are in the process of building room for processing bee products and establishing a bee multiplication station where we further intend to construct earth roads, water reticulation place, laboratories, bee house, storerooms and workshops,” she said.

Rabasha said their hope is that the facility will help improve income in the affected communities, small-scale farmers as well as the health of the nation.

 Beekeeping also improves the ecology of the environment as cross-pollination cuts across all plants including natural plants.

“Since it is not a formal school, all farmers who wish to be trained in beekeeping will be given an opportunity regardless of their education level,” she said. 

Opportunities in beekeeping-based industries include, production of bee products such as honey, by products, bee equipment, transport providers and all the value chain related activities.

Botswana College of Agriculture has assisted in writing a beekeeping project proposal for financial support, which was submitted, to the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA).  

According to a recent press release, this year about five tonnes have been produced indicating an improvement in production compared to last year where only eight tonnes was produced locally.