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POLLINATOR ISSUES IN BOTSWANA

POLLINATOR ISSUES IN BOTSWANA. QUEEN TURNER GLOBAL POLLINATOR SUMMIT DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA 1 - 4 JULY 2008. BOTSWANA PROFILE. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: VISION. The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to:

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POLLINATOR ISSUES IN BOTSWANA

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  1. POLLINATOR ISSUES IN BOTSWANA QUEEN TURNER GLOBAL POLLINATOR SUMMIT DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA1 - 4 JULY 2008

  2. BOTSWANA PROFILE

  3. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: VISION • The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to: • “Providing dynamic leadership in the development of sustainable, diversified and competitive agriculture • Conservation of natural resources to contribute to the achievement of food security • Poverty alleviation and socioeconomic growth in partnership with stakeholders”

  4. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: MISSION • “To formulate and implement innovative policies, programs, regulatory frameworks • To provide quality service to customers in order to promote a diversified, competitive and sustainable Agricultural sector through: • Development and transfers of agricultural technology • Control of diseases and pests of animals and plants • Development of cooperatives and farmer’s associations • Conservation of agricultural resources”

  5. BACKGROUND OF BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA • Prehistory: traditional honey harvesting by Batswana • 1970s: First official bee keeping trials in Kagcae, western central Kalahari • Early 1980s: Ministry of Agriculture’s interest and involvement- aim to diversify sector • Mid-1980s: farmer demonstrators identified, trained and funded by MoA. • To date: variable honey yields and bee products

  6. HONEY PRODUCTION LEVELS

  7. WHO ARE THE BEEKEEPERS IN BOTSWANA? • Government apiaries • Backyard beekeepers • Self-funded groups • Farmer demonstrators • Youth groups • HIV/AIDS special interest groups • Institutions (prisons, NGOs, BCA)

  8. CORE BUSINESS OF THE BEEKEEPING SECTION • “To promote viable and sustainable Beekeeping Projects/Programs through: • Promotion of bee pollination services • Conservation and protection of bee species • Establishment of commercial apiaries • Promotion of backyard beekeeping”

  9. CURRENT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS IN BEEKEEPING • Review of Bee Importation Act 1910 • Development of a National Bee Keeping policy • Funding & training of farmer demonstrators and public • 2006 feasibility study on commercialization of beekeeping • Technical Support- Extension Officers • Training of technical staff

  10. POTENTIAL FOR BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA • Good potential exists for: • Expansion of beekeeping • Local and regional markets of bee-products • Indigenous and exotic vegetation is suitable for a sustainable Industry

  11. POLLINATOR THREATS • Environmental • Drought • Bush fires • Climate change • Agricultural spraying for: • Tsetse fly • Quellea • Pesticides & herbicides • Bee pests and diseases

  12. POLLINATOR ISSUES Insufficient awareness, education & training: • biodiversity conservation • importance of bees as pollinators • Bee scientists and professionals • importance of pollination in crop production and the ecosystem • foundational level studies in Beekeeping (school) • advanced level studies in Beekeeping (tertiary)

  13. BOTSWANA-CBOL COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES • Research studies on bee species • Improvement and expansion of Beekeeping sector • Larger scale refinement and processing of bee products and value addition • Provision for specialized professional training for Batswana • Informational exchanges

  14. Kea leboga (Thank You)! Head of Beekeeping Section Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters Plot 4701 Station Road Private Bag 003, Gaborone, Botswana • Tel: ++267 3950500 ext. 433 • www.gov.bw/organsofstate/MinistryofAgriculture

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