POLLINATOR ISSUES IN BOTSWANA QUEEN TURNER GLOBAL POLLINATOR SUMMIT DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA JULY 2008

BOTSWANA PROFILE

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: VISION The Ministry of Agriculture is committed to: “Providing dynamic leadership in the development of sustainable, diversified and competitive agriculture Conservation of natural resources to contribute to the achievement of food security Poverty alleviation and socioeconomic growth in partnership with stakeholders”

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: MISSION “To formulate and implement innovative policies, programs, regulatory frameworks To provide quality service to customers in order to promote a diversified, competitive and sustainable Agricultural sector through: Development and transfers of agricultural technology Control of diseases and pests of animals and plants Development of cooperatives and farmer’s associations Conservation of agricultural resources”

BACKGROUND OF BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA Prehistory: traditional honey harvesting by Batswana 1970s: First official bee keeping trials in Kagcae, western central Kalahari Early 1980s: Ministry of Agriculture’s interest and involvement- aim to diversify sector Mid-1980s: farmer demonstrators identified, trained and funded by MoA. To date: variable honey yields and bee products

HONEY PRODUCTION LEVELS Year target yield/ metric tonnes actual yield/ metric tonnes

WHO ARE THE BEEKEEPERS IN BOTSWANA? Government apiaries Backyard beekeepers Self-funded groups Farmer demonstrators Youth groups HIV/AIDS special interest groups Institutions (prisons, NGOs, BCA)

CORE BUSINESS OF THE BEEKEEPING SECTION “To promote viable and sustainable Beekeeping Projects/Programs through: Promotion of bee pollination services Conservation and protection of bee species Establishment of commercial apiaries Promotion of backyard beekeeping”

CURRENT GOVERNMENT INTERVENTIONS IN BEEKEEPING Review of Bee Importation Act 1910 Development of a National Bee Keeping policy Funding & training of farmer demonstrators and public 2006 feasibility study on commercialization of beekeeping Technical Support- Extension Officers Training of technical staff

POTENTIAL FOR BEEKEEPING IN BOTSWANA Good potential exists for: Expansion of beekeeping Local and regional markets of bee- products Indigenous and exotic vegetation is suitable for a sustainable Industry

POLLINATOR THREATS Environmental Drought Bush fires Climate change Agricultural spraying for: Tsetse fly Quellea Pesticides & herbicides Bee pests and diseases

POLLINATOR ISSUES Insufficient awareness, education & training: biodiversity conservation importance of bees as pollinators Bee scientists and professionals importance of pollination in crop production and the ecosystem foundational level studies in Beekeeping (school) advanced level studies in Beekeeping (tertiary)

BOTSWANA-CBOL COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITIES Research studies on bee species Improvement and expansion of Beekeeping sector Larger scale refinement and processing of bee products and value addition Provision for specialized professional training for Batswana Informational exchanges

Kea leboga (Thank You)! Head of Beekeeping Section Ministry of Agriculture Headquarters Plot 4701 Station Road Private Bag 003, Gaborone, Botswana Tel: ext