Forum global sur la sécurité alimentaire et la nutrition (Forum FSN)

Dear All,

Bees are important to our planet..!!

The contribution of bee keeping to food and nutritional security is significant owing to the role of bees in cross polination in important food crops in addition to other direct services provided to the human being. Emiprical research studies in India suggest that cross polination by bees help in enhancing the yield of staples by 20-40 percent (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Farmers-to-be-trained-to...).

Despite their critical roles to welfare of human beings, our technological advancement and modern life style adversely affectiving the population and diversity of bess. Furthermore, the farmers are also withdrawing from bee keeping due to various reasons though markeing remains the major one. The farmers need to be trained for proper processing, value addition and  marketing through partnership or convergence with civil society and private companies.

With the emergence of Climate Smart Agriculture concept across globe, the scope and importance of practice of bee keeping is more. There is growing opportunities to integrate bee keeping in the Integrated Farming Models or agroforestry practices which are more sustainable. 

Regards,

Manoj

Apiculture; its importance and future

There is a general agreement on the two most important reasons as to why apiculture is going to play a very significant part in our future. The first is concerned with pollination, which is an essential factor in the continued existence of both economically and environmentally essential plants. Secondly, bee products have constituted an important ingredient of human food, and a versatile industrial raw material from the ancient times.

It is possible to identify two main reasons why the bee populations are now under threat throughout the globe. Obviously, this reduction will in turn, threaten some food supplies, particularly fruits, edible seeds, and honey, and will reduce the seed production of many environmentally significant flora. The consequences of this is quite plain in a world burdened with hunger and malnutrition and incredible environmental degradation.

The first threat to bees comes from habitat degradation resulting from human over-population that requires the expansion of infra-structure, housing as well as industrial and agricultural installations.

This degradation entails a significant loss of wild flowers, flowering bushes and trees whose nectar and pollen  constitutes an important part of bees' food supply. As the current notion of 'development' requires the undertaking of human activities resulting in this habitat degradation, bees may well face extinction due to starvation in some parts of the 'developed' and the 'developing' world. I know this is happening in many areas of urban Europe.

The second part of the threat stems from the use of insecticides and insect repellents used in agro-industry. Unlike the disappearence of roosting cranes from most parts of Europe due to the disappearence of their prey indirectly brought about by the use of insecticides,  bees will simply succumb to those chemical agents.

It is imperative to recall that nobody really knows what genetic consequences bees may suffer owing to their exposure to agro-chemicals now in use. Nectar and pollen contaminated with them may trigger  genetic changes in drones and queen bees, which in turn lead to serious dysfunctions in the generations of bees that spring from them. These may include loss of resistence to diseases and/or other acute congenital problems. Moreover, such ill effects may also result from a wide variety of toxic material we have already discharged into our environment, and remains undegraded for a long time.

So, these are the generic problems we need to address. Otherwise, we will face an environmental catastrophe due to a serious loss of bio-diversity, not to mention a significant reduction in global food production and turning what was once an affordable item of food into a luxury. I believe that once reasonably priced honey from Las Marismas in Spain are now beyond  the 'common man' after large tracts there were drained for agriculture.

I think it is still possible to reverse this undesirable trend, but it requires the undertaking of several simultaneous programmes, which are intended to address the threats to bees mentioned above, and to increase the bee population, hence their products.

1. Habitat degradation:

I. Strict control of building and construction projects, and a legal requirement that a certain percentage of the affected area should retain its native flora or its equivalent.

II. Planting local flowering trees that blossom at different times along roads and highways.

III. Reforestation of the deforested areas with local flora. This may not be easy or cheap, but I think it is becoming more and more important.

IV. Educating and encouraging the people to use 'live fences' that flower,  growing flowering plants in their gardens, especially those that blossom at different times.

2. Chemical threat:

I. Real basic research (not surveys) into the toxic effects of agro-chemicals and other common pollutants on bees, and their long- and short term effects on the genes of honey bee.

II. Research into  development of adequate 'feed' for bees to cover short falls due to harvesting the hives or bad weather.

III. Design of hives for apiculture that afford better protection to bees.

3. Increasing the bee populations:

I. Educational and material support to actual and potential apiculturists.

II. Ensuring that the producers and the consumers get a 'fair deal' through legislation, financing possibilities and the establishment of cooperatives for apiculturists.

III. Bee products are too well-known to require any publicity. But their excellence may be emphasised by nutrition education in schools etc.

Of course, this is only an outline of an approach, which requires to be fleshed with many details. I have not touched on the problem of displacement of one bee strain by another  as it has been happening in the US. Although it is a problem to the apiculturist, its environmental and economic consequences  are not severe.

I hope that this would be of some help.

Cheers!

Lal Manavado.

Sundarban is the single largest source of honey of Bangladesh. I think professional honey colletors (Mauwalis) of Sundarban & other interested nearby farmers could be trained up properly for environment friendly honey collection & farming.

All possible best scientific measures needed to be taken for the benefit of honeybees & honey collectors as well. However, where commercial flower farming, and crops oriented to flower density farming is available is also suitable for honey producing in Bangladesh.

Thank you James for organizing the discussion on bee keeping and related issues.

I am trying to respond to your questions in the following statement.

1. What are the dietary and nutritional benefits known in your community for bee products?

1. Among the bee products,honey is considered as a valued food item across whole Bangladesh.
2. It enjoys both dietary and nutritional benefits in our community.People take fresh honey with food and also add with many items of food.Honey is also considered to have medicinal value.It is taken as a remedy of cold and many other ailments.People of Islamic faith consider honey as very precious since there is mention of honey in the Holy Quran and Al-Hadith.

2. Is honey affordable and available in your community all year round?

Yes,honey is available in our community all year round.It is affordable to most people though very poor sections of people may not purchase from market.But,they may collect honey  from natural hives.

3.What are the prospects for beekeeping in the future? Beekeeping, poverty alleviation and food security: where are we headed?

Prospects of beekeeping does not yet look very bright.Only one  government agency promotes and supports beekeeping effectively in Bangladesh.However,many people are engaged in beekeeping.If more promotional and supportive measures are taken beekeeping for poverty  alleviation and food security may realize its potential.

4.With diseases, pests, habitat loss, colony collapse and climatic changes increasingly affecting apiculture around the world, what can we do to create sustainable conditions for agriculture and apiculture to coexist and to benefit from each other?

Motivational work coupled with training,arrangement of credit for purchasing required materials and maintenance of beehives and colonies may help immensely for creating sustainable conditions for agriculture and apiculture to coexist and to benefit from each other. 

Dear all,

Beekeeping is a wonderful world that we must respect and protect, and that can also be an important source of income for many households around the world.  If you are an extension worker, a beekeeping trainer, have a beekeepers’ soul and want to start beekeeping or upscale your beekeeping activity, we invite you to have a look at the information available on the TECA Knowledge base and the TECA Beekeeping Exchange Group which is a good opportunity for beekeepers and stakeholders involved in beekeeping to exchange information and knowledge.

TECA is FAO’s online platform for the exchange of practical information for smallholder farmers.  You can find there a wide range of technologies and practices that have been tested by farmers related to agriculture, livestock and crop production, forestry, beekeeping, fishery and aquaculture, capacity development, nutrition, etc. Practices are explained in an easy to understand language and format so that they can be easily implemented by farmers.

Best regards,

The TECA Team.

Le renforcement et le soutien technique du  CECOSDA aux groupes communautaires de base est dans le but d'apporté son appui en matière communication, pour amener un plus grand public à intégrer cette nouvelle idéologie. Une association ayant bénéficiés de l’apport technique des experts de l’ONG cecosda sur les questions de développement durable et d’agriculture écologique est devenu pionnière en  matière d'apiculture dans sa localité. De telles initiatives de la part des ONG montrent une volonté de pérenniser le secteur apicole.

1. Les bénéfices Alimentaire et Nutritionnels des produits de la ruche

Les bénéfices des alimentaires et nutritionnels des produits de la ruches reconnus par notre communauté sont fonction du niveau d'appréhension et de connaissance de ces produits par la population concerné. Néanmoins plusieurs produits des abeilles tels que : le miel, la cire, la propolis et autre ont  fait leur preuve.

• Le miel dans notre communauté est utilisé comme catalyseur ou complément dans la composition de certain médicament. On l’utilise dans les cas de brulures, certaines personnes vont même jusqu’à dire qu’il joue le rôle de spermicide;
• La cire est généralement utilisé pour la fabrication des bougies ;
• La propolis par contre présente une valeur thérapeutique plus exceptionnel dans le traitement de certain maux ;
• Certain apiculteur se sont perfectionné dans l’apithérapie qui constitue une seconde source de revenu pour leur exploitation.

Voilà en bref quelques-uns des bénéfices alimentaires et nutritionnels des produits de la ruche qui sont connus de notre communauté. La science étant en pleine essor la responsabilité d’apporté plus de objectivité à ce domaine porteur et prometteur pour les en développement comme le Cameroun la reviens entièrement.

1. La disponibilité en miel

Au Cameroun par exemple la disponibilité en miel peut être assurée toute l’année car le pays disposant d’une multitude d’écosystème et zone agro écologique, ce qui représente un atout favorable. Comme l’affirme les propos de Fabien OWONA, apiculteur, dans son interview avec la voix du paysan « Je dispose actuellement de plus de 600 ruches disséminées dans 4 localités : Bikok dans le Nyong-et-So’o, Ngoumou dans la Mefou-et- Akono, Batchenga dans la Lékié et Kribi dans l’Océan. Je diversifie les lieux de production dans le but de satisfaire ma clientèle, car certains préfèrent un miel provenant de la savane, quand d’autres ne jurent que pour un miel de la forêt. Je le fais aussi par prudence, car l’environnement est de plus en plus changeant, et les saisons de floraison des arbres varient aussi ». Une solution plus vertueuse encore est celle de l’application des technologies Agro- forestière qui implique la mise en place des systèmes sylvicole ou agro sylvicoles.

1. Les perspectives d’avenir pour l’apiculture au Cameroun

La filière étant encore sous développer et mal connu du grand public, il est important d’impliquer la force machinale que sont les jeunes à comprendre les bienfaits et la portée de cette nouvelle ouverture pour l’industrie et la promotion de l’auto emploi. Une étude récente faite par le centre de communication pour le développement durable pour tous (CECOSDA) auprès d’une association de développement communautaire rurale (COPAL à BATCHENGA) nous permis de constater que:

• Une intégration des activités l’apicole dans leur programme d’adaptation contre le changement climatique et d’insertion jeune dans le monde rurale ;
• Une identification des espèces mellifères locales ;
• Une disponibilité en machine et manuel techniques d’extraction.

Fort de ce constat le CECOSDA a apporté son appui en matière communication pour amener un plus grand public à intégrer cette nouvelle idéologie. Cette association a bénéficiés de l’apport technique des experts de l’ONG cecosda sur les questions de développement durable et d’agriculture écologique. De telles initiatives de la part des ONG montrent une volonté de pérenniser le secteur apicole. Ce pendant l’Etat du Cameroun à travers ses ministères techniques (MINADER, MINRESI…etc.) se doit de professionnaliser ce secteur d’activité en la dotant de financement, d’outils matériels capable de produire un miel qualité. Dans beaucoup de pays en voit développement l’on trouve une multitude de centre de formation en domaine de production végétale, animale, foresterie ou encore pêcherie mais pas en apiculture, qui intervient comme un simple module pendant le processus de formation. Or la relation écologique entre abeille et plante est un million essentiel à survie du règne végétale dans le processus de pollinisation, sans compté les autres services environnementaux rendu par l’abeille et le métier d’apiculture.

1. Que pouvons-nous faire pour créer des conditions durables pour permettre la coexistence entre l’agriculture et l’apiculture et leur relation bénéfique mutuelle ?

Nous en tant que ONG nous préconisons des solutions basées à plusieurs niveaux d’encadrement pour créer ou renforcer les conditions durables permettant la coexistence entre agriculture et apiculture et leur relation bénéfique mutuelle.

1er niveau : ce niveau d’implication relève du domaine de la communication. Il est important que tous les acteurs du développement soit sensibiliser et former sur les risques que cour la planète en marginalisant les pollinisateur en particulier les abeilles. Former et informer les preneurs de décision sur les éventuelles retombées de la prise d’une mauvaise décision.

2er  niveau : sur le plan institutionnel, il faudra prendre en compte l’avis des expert dans la prise de décision ; créer des centre de formation qui pourront former au même titre qu’en agriculture ; statuer des lois à l’égard des pollinisateurs ; professionnaliser le secteur apicole au même titre l’agriculture, l’élevage et autre.

3er niveau : il concerne l’approche pratique, c’est-à-dire préconiser l’agriculture biologiques qui peut d’effet négatif à la survie des abeilles et du métier d’apiculteur ; un former les agriculteurs à l’application des technologies agro-forestières pour renforcer la cohabitation des deux métiers dans le mêmes espace.

The role of bees as a biological fencing agent has been used in Kenya, more so in crop-producing areas near wildlife reserves. The bees are a deterrent to elephants and other wild herbivores. Very little information is available on the benefits from this practice. Any experiences with the same?

Nutritional and dietary benefits:  The bee brood (larvae, eggs, honey and wax mixture) is fed to the old and invalids as medicine in the beekeeping areas of Kenya. Honey, though consumed as a stand-alone product, remains an important input in the traditional breweries. It also forms an important ingredient as a sweetener for traditional herbal medicines. Propolis is chewed to prevent infections in the mouth cavity. Nutritional uses of the hive products varies across the different beekeeping communities in the country.

Dear all,

You might be interested in this factsheet on pollination services for crop production published by FAO in 2014 http://www.fao.org/3/a-at109e.pdf.

Best regards,

Max

FSN Forum Moderator

We know processed sugar is bad for our health. However, during the winter months, many beekeepers keep sugar syrup for the bees in the absence of flowers, therefore nectar. What is the effect of this on the nutritive quality of the honey? 

I would also like to pose a question for the forum on the resilience of bees, other pollinators, and beneficial insects--

while seed banks are useful, if our honey-producing bees, pollinators and beneficial insects are evolving along with the diverse and dynamic plant life and landrace seed crops adapting to survive outside the stasis of seed storage centers, what tests or verifications are being conducted to ensure that pollinators and beneficials will recognize, and possess digestive systems and processing enzymes necessary to make honey from these "seed bank" plants if they are returned to the biosphere after some decades of separation? Will a plant-generation or two of overcross with landrace crops be necessary for compatibility with then-current insect species?

Meanwhile, for health in the present, since some studies suggest as much as 75 percent of global seed diversity in staple food crops is held and actively used by small farmholders (many of them women) in peri-urban and remote rural locations, costs and deleterious effects of toxic chemicals used to control crop infestations may be avoided by bordering arable lands with early-season and late-season blooming plants, clumping grasses, and pollinator-friendly herb and medicinal plants can provide pollen (protein/food), nectar (carbohydrate/energy) and shelter not only for bees, but for lady bugs, lacewings, beneficial wasps, and other insects which are natural predators to insects which eat (or lay eggs/form larvae which eat) farm crops. Pairing tansy, marigold, basil, mountain mint, hyssop, borage, or other widely available varietals with garden crops can provide ample sustenance for bees and beneficials, enable predictable honey production (i.e., specific plant/source flavors, or safe gathering zones with ample water and plentiful pollinating plants throughout the growing season), and help make garden-food-production more secure, especially for small-holder farmers.

Additionally, farmers can gather and dry or process herbs, aromatics and floral border plants for use and sale at the end of the growing season.