Successful Beekeeping workshop organised by the Fiji Crop & Livestock Council
As part of the Fiji Crop & Livestock Council (FCLC) ongoing efforts to introduce farmers to a new source of income, the Council held a two-day ‘Basic Beekeeping’ training workshop.
It was held recently at the Lagoon Resort, Suva.
The workshop was organised by FCLC in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. It was supported by European Union and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) under the Farmers Organisation for Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific (FO4ACP) programme, through the Pacific Islands Farmers Organisations (PIFON). More than 30 farmers, including women and youths, took part. They were taught relevant skills required to raise bees and produce honey as well as knowledge needed to gain access in the marketplace, according to Jiu Daunivalu, CEO of FCLC.
“To be successful beekeepers the farmers need to know how to negotiate in their best interest and, at the same time, form strong linkages with other beekeepers, buyers, financiers and other key value chain actors,” said Mrs. Daunivalu.
Those attending the workshop learned the importance of consistency of supply of quality honey to the satisfaction of buyers, consumers, and improvement of food nutrition. And most important a sustainable source of income to support farmers’ livelihoods.
The farmers were taken through the steps required in the beekeeping trade including the use of protective suit and clothing, and how to use tools and hives.
Biosecurity Authority of Fiji (BAF) supported FCLC in this training by raising awareness of the pests to honey bees in Fiji, like Varroa Mites and American Foulbrood, as well as control measures in place to be strictly observed under the BAF Promulgation 2008.
These include the movement of bee hives, bee suits, bee products, and bee keeping equipment within Fiji shall be strictly prohibited unless the BAF provides prior authorisation for the movement.
An added benefit from the workshop is that as the new beekeeper farmers improve their knowledge and beekeeping skills, they can train others interested in beekeeping in their own areas on principles, rules and best practice of beekeeping, to further expanding the industry.