BEE FARMING TRAINING

by: Chikumbutso Gasper Willard - 11|05|2023

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With funding from All We Can, we are excited to announce that a 3-day training on the formation of an association was held from September 22-24, 2021, at Magoti TDC for 40 participants, consisting of 21 men and 19 women. The training was targeted at farmers interested in beekeeping and those capable of forming a honey association. The primary aim of the training was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills required to form an association that would enable farmers to produce high-quality honey and identify a permanent market for it.

The training was facilitated mainly by FACE and the Game Reserve Officer, who provided participants with comprehensive information on the formation of a honey association through lectures and group discussions. Additionally, participants were given notes on flip charts, which they took down in provided exercise books.

The topics covered during the training included the definition of an association, the economic importance of an association, the difference between a club, an association, a cooperative, and a society, membership of an association, the formation of an association, GACs, Beekeeping Clubs, constitution set-up, registration of an association, and an action plan.

At the start of the training, only 6 men and 4 women (10%) knew what an association was all about. However, by the end of the training, 95% of the participants knew what an association was and how to form one. This is a significant improvement from the pre-test results, where 15 men and 15 women (90%) suggested that an association was a club.

The training revealed that most participants did not know what an association was and could not differentiate between an association and a cooperative. Additionally, the registration fee was not clearly known, and there were no Group Area Committees that could link bee farmers and leaders. Furthermore, few standard hives were available in the area, and the conventional system of harvesting was practiced due to a lack of harvesting suits.

To address these challenges, participants have graduated to form an association and should make awareness meetings to form clubs and Group Area Committees. They should also have a draft constitution and open an account, and the registration process at the Registrar's office should start immediately. Furthermore, the association should identify land to erect an office and processor, and the government development committees should be acknowledged about the formation of the association. Finally, the association should have a honey processor and water tester to maintain the quality of honey.

We hope that the training will enable participants to form a successful honey association that will empower farmers to produce high-quality honey and identify a permanent market for their products.