Client Profile:
The client is a family run beekeeping company, which produces honey, retails beekeeping equipment to other beekeepers, and provides technical advice. The client was seeking expertise on disease and pest management, honey quality, production and use of propolis, and quality management.
Tasks:
- Co-facilitation of a 7-day training workshop aimed at a group of 17 beekeepers on quality control and general practices
- Visit to apiaries to evaluate disease/pest infestation levels, general beekeeping management and practices
- Provide hands-on solutions for specific technical issues, as well as basic apitherapy recipes with honey and propolis
Results:
During the first week of the assignment, training was provided in collaboration with the client, to a group of highly motivated beekeepers (approx. 30% women). Following this, expertise was shared on field visits during harvesting, discussing general management and varroa control procedures. Recommendations were made to establish a seasonal calendar of best practices, and to modify part of the equipment to improve pest control and bee health.
