Linkering Modern Beekeeping Methods and Sustainable Practices Project

As part of the Sustainable Food Systems and Natural Resource Management (SAD-GRN) programme in Senegal, ULB-Coopération is supporting the GIE (Groupement d’Intérêt Economique) Maloré in its transition to modern beekeeping, by providing training and equipment for the apiaries and honey house.

 

Financial partners 

belgique partenaire du développement

 

 

 

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Context

The Niokolo-Koba National Park (PNNK), bordered by the regions of Tambacounda, Kolda and Kédougou, is both a biodiversity reserve and an area under pressure. Since it was classified as a protected area, the park has had strict regulations to limit the activities that can be carried out there, which has led to conflicts between the logic of conservation and the needs of local populations. This has led to conflicts between the conservation rationale and the needs of the local population, with local communities resorting to illegal economic activities out of necessity, to the detriment of the park’s conservation objectives.

In response to these difficulties, the MéLiPra project is developing the beekeeping sector, complementing the activities of ULB-Coopération’s five-year programme in Senegal. It strengthens the support work and focuses on honey production and processing operations.

 

Location

The project is located in the Linkering commune, which has a population of 20,513 (ANSD[1] 2013). Located in the Vélingara department, Kolda region, the commune is bordered to the east by the Niokolo Koba National Park.

[1] Senegal’s National Statistics and Demography Agency.

 

 

Actions carried out during the 1st half of the year

  • Purchase of beekeeping equipment (hives and beekeeping kits were delivered and received by the members of the GIE)
  • Training in modern beekeeping and good beekeeping practices (a 5-day training course was organised to build the capacity of beekeepers)
  • Installation of apiaries (including the largest apiary in the village of Kalifourou. Covering an area of 2,500m², with 25 Kenyan hives and around ten traditional hives installed, it will be considered a training apiary for training in the area).
  • Organisational dynamics and monitoring of the apiaries (the team from our partner ABK-S is working on developing management and operating tools that will be adapted to the activity of the honey house and the group).
  • Purchase of equipment for the honey house (a honey press to separate the honey from the wax and maturing equipment to ensure the honey matures).

Work carried out during the 2nd half-year

  • 200 m fencing and securing of the apiary-school (with wire fencing, a metal gate and “Beware of bees” signs to protect the apiary from livestock and raise awareness of the danger).
  • Study of melliferous plants (thanks to collaboration with the Laboratoire de Botanique Biodiversité (LBB) at the University of Dakar (UCAD), a study on the recognition of melliferous species in the Linkering commune has been carried out).
  • Reforestation with melliferous plants and other tree species (reforestation activities in agroforestry areas and villages in the Linkering and Dialacoto zones have been organised).
  • Training in the manufacture and repair of Kenyan beehives (with a view to making the sector self-sufficient)
  • Training in marketing, development of a marketing action plan, creation of a logoT (which will give additional added value to the products of members of the beekeepers’ EIG and make it easier for them to sell their products).

Impact

  • The 41 producers are trained and adopt modern, sustainable beekeeping techniques
  • The GIE is equipped and marketing its products to new markets
  • 2,500 trees have been planted, including 500 for honey production
  • Households in the surrounding area benefit from these initiatives

Operational partner

Am Bé Koun-Solidarité (ABK-S)

Beneficiaries

Direct: 41 honey producers (3 women and 38 men) from the Balal Saré economic interest group (GIE) (now called Maloré) in Linkering.

Indirect: 400 people

 

Budget

20.000 €

Duration

12 months

Contact persons: Ousmane NIANG & Thierry DE COSTER 

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