In recent years, crops cultivation and livestock raising have dominated agriculture in Ghana. There is a need for the development of sustainable agricultural methods that do not need the acquisition of additional land but can still be implemented into farm operations and provide revenue to farmers. In most Ghanaian communities and towns, beekeeping has been highlighted as one such sustainable agricultural activity. However, the purpose of my post today is to educate my readers on the importance of getting into beekeeping and making it a lucrative hobby in their life even as the hive ecosystem joins the world in celebrating bees day.
Few individuals in Ghana are particularly motivated to enter the beekeeping industry, despite its relevance and significance. When bees are well-managed, they offer several benefits. Honey bees that are effectively managed are well recognized for their value as pollinators and honey producers. Farmers recently informed me that the production of several key crops in Ghanaian communities is inextricably linked to honey bee pollination services. However, these values are based solely on the services provided by well-managed honey bees. Beekeeping is a significant feature of most Ghanaian communities.
Direct output contributions like honey, beeswax, and others are among the advantages of beekeeping in Ghana. I am certain that many medications are made with the aid of honey generated by bees. Beekeeping as a serious enterprise takes practically little land and little upfront cash. Ghanaians that raise bees do not devote much time to their work. However, it seems that the majority of the beekeepers in our different communities are all farmers, which makes sense. According to my comprehensive study on beekeeping in Ghana, it is generally performed by the young and elderly, men and women, and it does not draw them away from their agricultural operations. Too few individuals have explored beekeeping as a fascinating pastime, a lucrative diversion, or a full-time vocation.
Challenges of beekeeping in Ghana
Beekeepers in Ghanaian villages primarily keep bees to generate income, but they also use bee products for personal consumption. In Ghana, beekeeping is mostly done by males, and women participation is traditionally restricted. Beekeepers between the ages of twenty and sixty years are heavily engaged in beekeeping techniques. In most situations, beekeepers must be individuals who have been doing this for years and have gained sufficient expertise. This is owing to the hazards that one may be exposed to, and hence obtaining sufficient skills and expertise in beekeeping is essential.
A conversation with a young guy in the hamlet of Jasikan, in the Volta region of Ghana provided further information about some of the information required for safer and better beekeeping. Improved skills and proper experience, he believes, are the most important factors in assuring safer and more productive beekeeping. He noted that despite increased abilities and understanding on artificial queen raising, nonetheless, bee colony swarm capture by hanging bait hives on long trees is a main way of colony acquiring.
When discussing the obstacles that they have in maintaining bees in the villages, he mentioned a few issues he believes endanger the lives of bees in this activity. Unwise use of agrochemicals, seasonal shortages of bee fodder, bee pests and unwanted bee traits, and a lack of competent and suitable extension services are a few examples. All of these are highlighted as important impediments to the growth of beekeeping in Jasikan and other Ghanaian communities.
the way forward.
On this important day, as the hive ecosystem commemorates #worldbeeday2022, we detail some of these difficulties that the ecosystem may look into and potentially pay attention to see how best beekeepers throughout the world can be supported. With all of the outlined issues of bee keeping revealed by my colleaque in Jasikan, I'd like to offer these as constructive methods of assisting in mitigating the obstacles to assure the keeping of bees in Ghana and throughout the globe.
A lot of focus should be placed on arranging a seminar to teach many young people about beekeeping as a profitable endeavor they may participate in. In this manner, they might be exposed to all of the hazards and taught the skills necessary to start a genuine beekeeping enterprise.
The ecosystem may also offer training and extension programs for beekeepers in Ghana that concentrate on the practical elements of general beekeeping and, more particularly, honeybee management.
Beekeepers might be helped by providing resources and funds to assist them cope with pest and predator avoidance or control measures.
These, and many more, will protect bees' life and encourage people to take up beekeeping as a business, recognizing its value to society and the ecosystem at large.
Changing lives with hive.