Alternative nonAlternative non--timber top bar hive timber top bar hive from cheap and locally available from cheap and locally available

materialsmaterialsNuruNuru AdgabaAdgaba (PhD)(PhD)

HoletaHoleta Bee Research Center, EthiopiaBee Research Center, EthiopiaEE--mail mail nuruadgaba@yahoo.comnuruadgaba@yahoo.com

BackgroundBackground

For the last many decades attempts was made to For the last many decades attempts was made to improve the bk. conditionsimprove the bk. conditions

Particularly timber made top bar hive has been Particularly timber made top bar hive has been considered as an appropriate hive for low income considered as an appropriate hive for low income groupsgroups

Despite long period attempts to introduce these Despite long period attempts to introduce these hives, still did not reach to the majority of rural hives, still did not reach to the majority of rural beekeepersbeekeepers

Background Background contdcontd------

This is, mainly due to their This is, mainly due to their It requires precise specificationIt requires precise specificationAdvanced wood machinesAdvanced wood machinesRelative high prices and un affordabilityRelative high prices and un affordabilityUnavailability for the majority of Unavailability for the majority of bkrsbkrs

Background contd..Background contd..

As a result in most subtropical African countries the As a result in most subtropical African countries the majority of beekeeping is still practiced in traditional majority of beekeeping is still practiced in traditional hives hives

This has certainly affected both the production and This has certainly affected both the production and productivities of beekeeping & quality of bee products.productivities of beekeeping & quality of bee products.

Hence the available apicultural resources are not yet Hence the available apicultural resources are not yet well utilized well utilized

In this aspect to improve the In this aspect to improve the bkbk conditions of the conditions of the region seeking for alternative technological options for region seeking for alternative technological options for different income groups is very essential.different income groups is very essential.

Background contd..Background contd..

In this regard alternative and nonIn this regard alternative and non--timber top bar hive and frames timber top bar hive and frames made from cheap and locally available materials have been testedmade from cheap and locally available materials have been testedfor for

•• its ease of constructionits ease of construction•• adoption and adoption and •• productivity of colonies at farmers levelproductivity of colonies at farmers level

The materials used are: The materials used are: --ArundinariaArundinaria alpine (bamboo)alpine (bamboo), , ArundinariaArundinaria donaxdonax,,OxytenatheraOxytenathera abyssinicaabyssinica and and Eucalyptus sticks Eucalyptus sticks

Such & similar types of materials are widely available in differSuch & similar types of materials are widely available in different ent ecologies of many sub tropical African countriesecologies of many sub tropical African countries

The Design the hiveThe Design the hive

The design is similar to the top bar hive with some modificationThe design is similar to the top bar hive with some modificationss100cm

30cm

40cm

Side walls design

Front & rear sides

22cm

Entrance

10cm 25cm30cm

Types of materials usedTypes of materials used

Solid sticks for hive body framesSolid sticks for hive body frames

For two side walls For Front and rear walls

1m

40cm22cm

Ways of fixing the side wallsWays of fixing the side walls

100cm

30cm

10cm30cm 25cm

Ways of fixing contd.Ways of fixing contd.

Different steps of hive wall frames constructionDifferent steps of hive wall frames construction

1st Each sides has to be constructed

separately

40 cm

22cm

Then the two sides are fixed at the top and

bottom ends

Construction of hive wallConstruction of hive wall

1st the front and rear walls Then the two side walls

Partition groove making for partition board & Q.EPartition groove making for partition board & Q.E

Plastering

Partition boards Q.E.

Groove makingGroove making

Hand made topHand made top--bars preparationbars preparationMachine made timber top-bars

Eucalyptus round top-bars Bamboo splits top-bars

A. donax round top-bars

Production of suitable topProduction of suitable top--bar is the most bar is the most important part of movable hive construction important part of movable hive construction

The major production cost of a hive (labor & The major production cost of a hive (labor & time) goes for the production of top bars ortime) goes for the production of top bars orframesframes

Some of the precautions are Some of the precautions are * Materials should be mature* Materials should be mature

* Dry * Straight * Dry * Straight * Uniform (3.2cm) * Uniform (3.2cm)

How the topHow the top--bars are fit to the hivebars are fit to the hive

Round sticks top-barsBamboo splits top-bars

Roofing materialsRoofing materials

Sheet metals or plastics roofs can be used Sheet metals or plastics roofs can be used

Insulating materialsUnder the roof

Guiding bees to construct straight combsGuiding bees to construct straight combs

Fixing of combs

Straight combs

The hand made topThe hand made top--bars were tested on large bars were tested on large number of honeybees coloniesnumber of honeybees coloniesThe experiment showed the absence of The experiment showed the absence of significant differences significant differences b/nb/n the machine & hand the machine & hand made top barsmade top bars

In honey yieldIn honey yieldComb spacingComb spacingBee spaceBee spaceBrood cell depth Brood cell depth

Applicability of the hive for different purposes Applicability of the hive for different purposes

For nuclei hives For nuclei hives constructionconstruction

For simple colony For simple colony multiplicationmultiplication

About 10 queens About 10 queens per/hive able rearper/hive able rear

Nuclei colonies Nuclei colonies serve as source of serve as source of income 20income 20--25 25 US/nucleiUS/nuclei

Relative advantages of this hiveRelative advantages of this hive

Better honey yield 3x > than traditional hiveBetter honey yield 3x > than traditional hiveBetter quality honey Better quality honey Easy to construct using hand toolsEasy to construct using hand tools

55--8 times cheaper than timber made hives8 times cheaper than timber made hivesAllows to use wide range of materialsAllows to use wide range of materialsEnvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendlyCan be used for simple colony multiplicationCan be used for simple colony multiplicationCan be done by women and persons with Can be done by women and persons with disability disability

The adoption of the technologyThe adoption of the technology

20,000 hives were constructed

Can create job opportunitiesCan create job opportunities

Local carpenters can Manufactures and sell the hive

and or top-bars

Conclusion Conclusion

Such hive can serve as one technological Such hive can serve as one technological options for low income groupsoptions for low income groupsContribute to improve the production and Contribute to improve the production and productivity of beekeepingproductivity of beekeepingIt will serve as bridge to transform from It will serve as bridge to transform from traditional to box hive beekeepingtraditional to box hive beekeepingHowever the promotion of this hive should not However the promotion of this hive should not be on the expenses of box hivebe on the expenses of box hive