The North West Department of Agriculture and Rural Development commemorated Provincial World Bee Day last Wednesday, 18th May 2022 in Mooifontein under the theme, “Bee engaged: Build back better for bees”.

Currently, the provincehas thirty-three (33) active and registered beekeepers of which most have been assisted with equipment and training by the department.

Sello Nthoesane, is one of those apiculture (bee-keeping) farmers that have been assisted by the NWDARD. He has received training funded by the Department on beekeeping management.He expressed his gratitude towards the Department’s effort in supporting apiculture farmers in the province. He also encouraged new entrants into the industry to use the opportunity afforded by government wisely and he offered himself to assist those that need information and skills on the industry standards and requirements.

Beekeepers who attended the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) training were awarded Certificates of Competence for a course that comprised of recognising defensive behaviour in animals; observing and handling of animals as well as selecting, using and caring for hand tools and basic equipment as well as infrastructure.

On the day MEC Desbo Mohono handed over five (5) brooding boxes to Kenalemang Mooketsi from Lichtenburg who started beekeeping in 2018. “I am excited about the new equipment that I received today from the Department. I hope that it will continue to assist many others like myself who are committed to growing in this sector and dedicate their time to their businesses. This shows that the vision of empowering women in agriculture will be realised through the hard work of MEC Mohono” said Mooketsi.

Presentations during the commemoration day, included Bees and the Environment; Beekeeping as a business; Regulatory Framework on Bee Keeping; Marketing, Processing, Packaging, Compliance and Certification.

In her address, MEC Mohono said the Department will be behind all farmers who are showing interest in and are keen in their endeavour of improving their lives.

“As a province we are fully behind our bee farmers, and we further promise that this will not be the last gathering of this magnitudein regards to bee-keeping. As the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, we have done our research and realised that indeed bee farming is worthy and course for our people. As a Department, our intension is clear about bee farming. We intend to mitigate problems our people are facing by creating employment, alleviating poverty in rural communities and providing investment opportunities to small and medium bee farmers,” MEC Desbo Mohona expressed.

Source: Government of South Africa