Baraka Agricultural College short courses in beekeeping

The following one week short courses in beekeeping are currently on offer from Baraka Agricultural College. Courses are offered both in Kiswahili and English depending on the needs of the group.

1. An introduction to beekeeping (establishing a beekeeping enterprise)

This course is about starting a beekeeping enterprise in Kenya. The course is aimed at beekeeping beginners but experienced beekeepers can also benefit by attending. The course covers an introduction to bee biology and behaviour (African bees – Apis mellifera scutellata); beekeeping equipment; apiary establishment; bee and hive management; harvesting, handling and marketing of honey.

2. Processing of bee products

This course covers in detail how to process and add value to bee products including honey, beeswax, propolis, bee brood and pollen. Local and international markets/marketing for these bee products is also covered.
Much time is spent in practical lessons making a variety of value added recipes which can then be marketed and sold in Kenya and overseas. Recipes include a variety of candles and creams, polishes and medicinal/nutritional products from the bee hive.

3. Making bee equipment

Making bee equipment is a specialized course aimed at artisans and those interested in making their own beekeeping equipment to quality standards. The course is facilitated by both beekeeping staff and staff of Baraka Agricultural College, workshop who manufacture beekeeping equipment. The course covers making a Kenya Top Bar Hive, Langstroth hive, smoker, beesuits, hive tools and bee brushes. Details on how to make a simple honey extractor are also given. Much of the course is held at Baraka Agricultural College workshop actually making the equipment.

4. Bee breeding and multiplication

This is a new course on offer for 2008. The course is designed to assist beekeepers/beekeeping extension workers occupy the many empty beehives in Kenya. Research shows hive occupation rates as low as 30% in some areas of the country. The course covers details of bee genetics, selection and breeding. Simple methods of bee multiplication such as swarm attractants, making divisions and also queen rearing is covered in detail including the Demaree, Miller, Jenter and Grafting methods of rearing queens. Click here to apply online or write to the address below. Download 2008 prospectus here forother beekeeping short courses

The Principal,
Baraka Agricultural College,
Box 52,
Molo,
Kenya
E-mail: shortcourses@sustainableag.org
Mobile: 0725-777421

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Farmers during compost making session

Beekeeping practicals session.