Frequently asked questions

(1) Does Bees for Development provide grant funding?

No. Bees for Development is not a grant-giving organisation.

We believe beekeeping can help people become self-sufficient and earn a steady income provided they have the know-how and information they need. Please use our Information Portal for practical information about beekeeping or subscribe to Bees for Development Journal to keep up-to-date about events and issues. For advice about writing project proposals and finding funding you can refer to our information pages on these topics.

(2) Does Bees for Development provide hives or equipment?

Bees for Development encourages beekeepers to become self-sufficient. We believe equipment can be:

• made by beekeepers , using simple materials and methods
• bought by beekeepers, either with money earned from honey sales or other sources
• bought by beekeepers who are assisted by micro-finance schemes.

Provision of equipment by donor projects sometimes has the effect of creating dependency or artificially forces up local prices of inputs as donors are doing the buying and not the end users.

Generally it has been found that the distribution of hives does not automatically lead to an increase in honey production. There are many reasons for this of course and usually concern issues to do with ownership, expertise, efficiency of marketing chains and different approaches to bee colony management.

Often beekeepers are not constrained by a shortage of hives but a shortage of market connections. In our experience addressing marketing issues can boost honey production and trade more effectively than equipment distribution.

(3) How do I submit an article for Bees for Development Journal?

We are very willing to receive articles from any member of the beekeeping community. Just follow these simple guidelines and we will happily consider your submission click here.

(4) Which is the best hive type for Africa?

The simple answer to this question is that any hive is suitable as long as the bees like it, the beekeeper can afford it and it works. For a more detailed answer please refer to the section on hive types in our Information Portal or read this article.