Bee-keeping is nothing new to the Fulbe, especially in the Adamawa Province. However, their traditional apicultural methods are dangerous and destructive to hives. African bees are infamous for their aggressiveness, and the manner in which the honey is harvested from homemade hives is potentially life-threatening to the bee-keeper and kills much of the bee colony. Managing a bee farm on the ground with top-bar hives using protective equipment and smokers is a new approach to bee-keeping for the Fulbe. This method was introduced at a training seminar lead by a Cameroonian bee-keeper with over a decade of experience in this area. |
The instructor demonstrates a traditional hive Lemon grass is one natural way to attract bees Beekeeping and agroforestry are intimately Students learn about nursery construction. from his province. to the hive. Natural bees way spread on the top linked, so students are instructed on tree bar interior side. propagation as part of the training. |
Students build their own Kenyan Top-Bar (KTB) Dimensions must be exact, especially for the A completed KTB hive built by students Entryway for the bees. One hole is made hive from pre-cut lumber. top bar, 3.2 cm at the top, 1 cm at the bottom and ready to be added to the bee farm. the diameter of the pinky finger to allow for to ensure enough space for comb production. queen entry. |
Site selection is very important. Wind breaks, The instructor demonstrates comb removal The hives are protected from the elements by I think I learned the most that day! plenty of flowering trees and adequate distance and honey collection with the hive tool. a plastic and grass covering. |