How to Use this Manual
It is now well accepted that beekeeping can offer people in rural
villages a way of generating additional income. However,
beekeeping is not always easy. The bees can sting and are often
unpredictable. The honey harvest depends on many factors,
including the weather and on having a good market. High value
honey must be of good quality. Beeswax is also a useful product,
which is often wasted.
This field manual is designed for use by field-based trainers in sub
Saharan Africa. It is based on colour pictures with few words. The
manual covers basic techniques needed to start a beekeeping
business. It also offers some new ideas to help beekeepers to
become independent by making their own equipment from local
materials. I hope that this will help people to start beekeeping at an
affordable cost, and maybe to experiment with new materials.
The pictures show some of the many different ways that people keep
bees. This is intended to promote discussion and shared experiences
to help people to solve problems locally. The manual concentrates on
top bar hive beekeeping but many of the techniques and ideas can
also be used by traditional and frame hive beekeepers.
It is expected that trainers will be able to translate the ideas into
local languages. Thanks to the support of the Waterloo Foundation,
another illustrated manual will be available in 2010. This will cover
advanced management techniques and problem solving. A text-
based trainers manual is also available, on request from Pam
Gregory, that explains the ‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’. Please email:
pamgregory@phonecoop.coop
Pam Gregory has kept bees since 1974. She
worked for the UK National Bee Unit from 1976-
2003. She holds the UK National Diploma in
Beekeeping and an MSc in Overseas Rural
Development. She has spent the last 12 years
working with beekeepers in sub Saharan Africa.
Happy Beekeeping
Pam Gregory June 2009