Bee Keeping
Research observes beekeeping as one of the underdeveloped socio-economic activities that could have high potential for promoting food security in Africa. Despite being insects, bees have enormous benefits to the mankind. First, bees are known for their economic value obtained from sale of their products that include; Honey, Wax, Pollen, Propolis, Royal Jelly, and Bee Venom.Secondly, Bees help in crop pollen pollination which facilitates high agriculture yield for crop farmers.Third, in the natural forest, bees promote high yield for seeds that develop to new plants which in turn, promotes re-forestation as part of environmental conservation.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
KWETU’S Beekeeping course is designed to provide an overview of bee biology, practical beekeeping and honey production.
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- You will learn the fundamentals in the biology of honey bees. Races of honey bees and products including honey, wax, royal jelly, propolis, pollen and venom are introduced along with the impact of honey bees as pollinators in nature and in agriculture.
- You then proceed to address husbandry, i.e., how to start and maintain an apiary, types of beehives, where to install an apiary, inspections of beehives, best management practices, hive management, migratory beekeeping, how to prevent swarming, honey harvesting, how to raise queens, and how to produce new nucleus colonies.
- In the final theory classes you deal with bee disease, pests and predators; with special emphasis on biological control and current control strategies.
The practical and lab sessions provide instruction on the processing of honey. Our course includes 5 days of 8 hours each, with frontal sessions held from 8am to 1pm and practical sessions from 2pm to 5pm. Protective gear must be worn during practical sessions.