The Bonakanda-Bova Bee Farmers Common Initiative Group (BOBEEFAG) February 12-13, 2016 trained over thirty people in the skill of beekeeping.
The training took place at the premises of BOBEEFAG at Bonakanda in Buea, Southwest Region, drawing more than the 30 participants initially invited.
The participants learnt how to colonize bees and manage beehives to maximize sustainable production of honey.
An initiative of veteran beekeeper and delegate of BOBEEFAG, Lyonga Mbake Samuel, and an Italian NGO LAGGIUNGLA ONLUS, the training saw participants learning how to construct a traditional beehive using local materials – raffia/bamboo and grass – as well as how to make the modern Kenyan top bar hive using wood.
According to Lyonga Mbake, beekeeping is not sustainable in Fako Division due to lack of equipment and skills.
“So after discussions with LAGGIUNGLA ONLUS, which is funding this workshop, we decided to offer this first training to those who would go back and train others in beekeeping,” said Lyonga.
“So this is a special kind of training because each participant will receive basic beekeeping equipment – a beehive, a protective suit and a smoker – so that they can start practising beekeeping straightaway,” said Lyonga, who has been keeping bees for 18 years.
For his part, Pelliccione Frederico representing LAGGIUNGLA ONLUS said he was very impressed with the participation.
“More people than we had invited turned up and they are all very interested in the training,” said Pelliccione Frederico, “the second phase of the training will take place in September this year.”
Pelliccione said beekeeping would provide an alternative source of food and income to families.
“In a couple of years, we expect those who received training to be enjoying some extra income,” he added.
Okie Clinton, a 21-year-old student, said he had learnt a lot from the training even just as an observer.
“I’ll go back and revive all the beehives that my father had abandoned in Bombe Bakundu in Meme Division,” Okie told The Green Vision.
With careful handling, bees can provide a variety of advantages. They are ideal for pollination, hence they help plants to reproduce. They are good makers of honey and wax. Honey can be used as a substitute for sugar. Beeswax is used in the manufacture of candle, cosmetics, lipsticks, crayons, electrical and chemical cement, ink ingredients and polish, among others. The venom from bees can be used to treat diabetes, arthritis, rheumatism and malignant cancer.
