CITW trained the Adult Eco-Clubs in beekeeping in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture on the 6th-9th April. The Training was officially opened by the Headman of Beetsha village and was facilitated by a Bee Keeping Coordinator from Ministry of Agriculture Mr Ntsie.
The workshop was held at Beetsha village and was attended by 2 groups: Beetsha and Gunotsoga Adult Eco-Clubs. The training was attended by 20 members (7 Adult-Eco Club members, 2 members Eco-Club members from Beetsha Primary School, School Head, 2 teachers from Beetsha, 5 Adult Eco-Club members from Gunotsoga, 2 teachers from Gunotsoga, Mr Ntsie from Ministry of Agriculture, the facilitator).
The main objectives of the workshop were as follows:
- Introduction of beekeeping
- Importance of bees
- How to start a beekeeping project
- Types of bee hives
- Bee Biology
- Apiary and layout
- Colony capturing
- Feeding bees
- Colony inspection and harvesting
- Honey pests and protection
- Record keeping
Mr Ntsie, taught the adults theory and had a practical session as well which the members really enjoyed. He encouraged the groups to take care of the bees as it is a source of income, food, medicine and also part of the environment. He also outlined materials needed to start the bee-keeping project. In addition he taught them that the apiary should be 100m away from a village to avoid conflicts between human beings and bees, should have wind breakers, pasture, near water and have shade. They were also advised that the apiary should be closed to avoid honey being eaten by other bees or being bitten by bees while harvesting.
The Adult Eco-Clubs were advised to wear protective clothes and to use smokers. They also did a practical exercise of capturing bees for their projects. They were also advised how to feed the bees with a mix of warm water and sugar in drought times. Furthermore adults were encouraged to do colony inspection and harvesting of honey. Mr Ntsie gave examples of pests that they will come across and how to avoid them in beekeeping. Lastly he taught them record keeping and its importance to the project.
The two groups went into the field to capture bees and do every step they were taught in class, the facilitator was impressed as the adults did everything correctly, they managed to capture bees and find a good place to keep them, adults were advised to take care of the bees by the facilitator and promised them that he will always visit them to check their progress.
