BEE KEEPING IN SWAZILAND

PRESENTED BY: Dr. Thembinkosi Ndlangamandla

VENUE: Ezulwini, Swaziland

DATE: 14 June 2011

Contents• Introduction• Ecology of Swaziland• Demographics and major stakeholders• Types of bees and bee hives• Distribution of apiaries• Honey consumption • Local honey marketing• Government contribution• Challenges• Conclusion

INTRODUCTION• Swaziland is Land locked, has area of 17365 square km.• mainly mountainous • Average temperature 22degrees can go up to 34 degrees

• Rainfall range is 550-1450 mm• Types of forests/ trees

•Aloe•Acacia•Citrus trees•Eucalyptus trees•Wattle trees•Pine

ECOLOGY OF SWAZILAND

• Swaziland is divided into 4 ecological regions.

Highveld (HV)

Middleveld (MV)

Lowveld (LV)

Lubombo (LB)

• HV – Eucalyptus, wattle and pine

• MV – Natural forests and citrus

• LV - Natural forests and citrus

• LB – Natural forest (acacia and aloe)

HONEYBEES FORAGE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

• Honeybees are a natural resource; they thrive on natural growing and exotic plants to benefit the people of Swaziland.

• Honey hunting and appreciation for its benefits has been a long-standing component of Swazi culture

The conditions in Swaziland make it very appealing to be involved in honey production. The honey found in Swaziland has a very good taste

and is of a very high quality

Primitive bee keeping Commercial bee keeping

Demographics

• Total beekeepers are 1107, • Total bee hives are 3860.

• Number of Small scale Beekeepers: ~500

• Medium and large scale(Beekeeper Associations)◦ Imphalu◦ Luju Lwemvelo◦ Shiselweni Beekeepers Association◦ Lubombo Beekeeper’s Trust

• Processors (Major Commercial Players)◦ Bulembu Village◦ Manzini Youth Care (Eswatini kitchen)◦ SunnysideSmall – upto 10 hives medium – 11 to 100 hives Large – 101 hive and above

Types of bees and bee hives

• The species of bees found in the country are:

• Apis mellifera scutallata

• Apis mellifera adansoni

• Bee hives used are:• Langstroth hive

• Top bar hive

Distribution of the apiaries

2008 Survey Areas

Honey consumption

126

105

21

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

Total consumption Local production Imported

Honey consumption(tonnes) - 2010

Imported honey

25%

75%

Marketing of locally produced honey

formal market

informal market

All imported honey goes to the formal market

Government contribution• The mission of the Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland

is to provide a conducive environment that will maximise the quality and security of life of the people of Swaziland and make the best use of the country’s natural and human resources

• To formulate policies and all legislations related to agriculture including bee keeping.

• Provision of vets and honey extension officers

• Regulation of imports of honey and honey products.

• Coordinate the stakeholders of the honey industry.

Challenges• Inadequate local source of supply of honey equipment

(brushes, protective clothing)

• Theft of honey and hives.

• Risk of destruction of hives by forest fires.

• Higher returns available in informal market.

• Review and amendment of the 1910 bee keeping act.

• Inadequate funding for the honey industry.

Challenges continued

• Threat of diseases of honey bees.

Conclusion

• It is evident that the honey industry is developing in Swaziland and has the potential of contributing enormously to the country’s economy .

• The participants and the country will be more equipped to handle diseases of honey bees by the end of this workshop.

THANK YOU