I have recently returned from a trip to Cameroon in west Africa and had
the opportunity to see several apiaries as well as talk with a number of
beekeepers.

 

Believe it or not the people I met with use the African honeybee. We
obviously approached the hives slowly and didn't get too close. They
used the Kenyan top bar hive and then used grass or palm leaves on top
of the hives 'cause the bees get agitated when rain hits the top of the
hives. The beekeepers are able to produce quite a bit of honey due to an
enormous amount of nectar available.

 

The biggest problem for the producers is a market.  The local economy is
very weak (dismally weak compared to anything in the West) and can only
support a limited amount of honey. Shipping to the larger cities has a
host of problems (vehicles, local road fees, contacts, etc.) and even
then the producer can not be sure he'll be able to sell much honey
without being taken advantage of.

 

I was asked many times what I knew or could tell them about how to
develop markets for their honey. Unfortunately, I could not tell them
much but am hopeful that over time I can give them some ideas. Is there
anything that honey is a component to which these beekeepers could
possible market their crop??

 

I post this all for your information but would certainly welcome any
thoughts on their beekeeping practices and their problem of finding
markets for the honey.

 

Mark

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