POLLINATOR ISSUES IN BOTSWANA

QUEEN TURNERGLOBAL POLLINATOR SUMMIT

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA1 - 4 JULY 2008

BOTSWANA PROFILE

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: VISION

The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to:“Providing dynamic leadership in the development of sustainable, diversified and competitive agricultureConservation of natural resources to contribute to the achievement of food securityPoverty alleviation and socioeconomic growth in partnership with stakeholders”

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: MISSION

“To formulate and implement innovative policies, programs, regulatory frameworksTo provide quality service to customers in order to promote a diversified, competitive and sustainable Agricultural sector through:

Development and transfers of agricultural technologyControl of diseases and pests of animals and plantsDevelopment of cooperatives and farmer’s associationsConservation of agricultural resources”

BACKGROUND OF BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA

Prehistory: traditional honey harvesting by Batswana1970s: First official bee keeping trials in Kagcae, western central KalahariEarly 1980s: Ministry of Agriculture’s interest and involvement- aim to diversify sectorMid-1980s: farmer demonstrators identified, trained and funded by MoA. To date: variable honey yields and bee products

HONEY PRODUCTION LEVELS

Year 2003-2004

2004-2005

2005-2006

2006-2007

2007-2008

target yield/metric tonnes

2.2 5.0 6.5 8.0 10.0

actual yield/ metric tonnes

1.9 5.9 5.3 8.3 8.4

WHO ARE THE BEEKEEPERS IN BOTSWANA?

Government apiariesBackyard beekeepersSelf-funded groupsFarmer demonstratorsYouth groupsHIV/AIDS special interest groupsInstitutions (prisons, NGOs, BCA)

CORE BUSINESS OF THE BEEKEEPING SECTION

“To promote viable and sustainable Beekeeping Projects/Programs through:

Promotion of bee pollination services

Conservation and protection of bee species

Establishment of commercial apiaries

Promotion of backyard beekeeping”

CURRENT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS IN BEEKEEPING

Review of Bee Importation Act 1910 Development of a National Bee Keeping policyFunding & training of farmer demonstrators and public2006 feasibility study on commercialization of beekeepingTechnical Support- Extension OfficersTraining of technical staff

POTENTIAL FOR BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA

Good potential exists for:Expansion of beekeepingLocal and regional markets of bee-products

Indigenous and exotic vegetation is suitable for a sustainable Industry

POLLINATOR THREATS

EnvironmentalDroughtBush firesClimate change

Agricultural spraying for:

Tsetse flyQuelleaPesticides & herbicides

Bee pests and diseases

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POLLINATOR ISSUES

Insufficient awareness, education & training: biodiversity conservationimportance of bees as pollinatorsBee scientists and professionalsimportance of pollination in crop production and the ecosystemfoundational level studies in Beekeeping (school)advanced level studies in Beekeeping (tertiary)

BOTSWANA-CBOL COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Research studies on bee speciesImprovement and expansion of Beekeeping sectorLarger scale refinement and processing of bee products and value additionProvision for specialized professional training for BatswanaInformational exchanges

Kea leboga (Thank You)!Head of Beekeeping SectionMinistry of Agriculture HeadquartersPlot 4701Station RoadPrivate Bag 003, Gaborone,Botswana

Tel: ++267 3950500 ext. 433www.gov.bw/organsofstate/MinistryofAgriculture