DESCRIPTION OF RECIPIENT ORGANIZATION

HAITIAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (H.R.D.F.) / BEEKEEPING PROJECT http://www.hrdf.org/project_beekeepers.html in collaboration with USAID/HAITI.

SCOPE OF WORK

Request was for assistance in training beekeepers of the Aquin area in hive construction and increase of colony numbers/production. R. Chasser conducted equipment workshop, T. Mozer led live-bee demonstrations/discussions of problems encountered, M. Roger served as interpreter/facilitator with N. Marks also present.

RESULTS/IMPACT

Previous project begun by Belgian non-profit group "Apiculture Without Borders" was discontinued after 2000 for uncertain reasons; we found the Aquin beekeepers association had decreased in membership/livestock numbers by approximately half since then. Problems encountered included the likely introduction of bee-parasitic Varroa mites in the past 5 years or so (reflected by beekeeper/colony losses reported to us, as well as field observations), and the use of apparently inappropriate equipment/technology and management strategies for local conditions [see "Small Scale Beekeeping" for an overview of appropriate apiculture: http://apiservices.com/articles/us/small_beekeeping/index.htm. We discussed possible remediation for future development, including equipment changes and the preservation of surviving/adapted bee strains/subspecies that appear to be mite/disease tolerant at present.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Suggested certain strategies for maximizing colony health/hive production under current operational limitations, but strongly encourage examination of alternative intermediate methodologies as a transition from rustic beekeeping being practiced. The conservation of naturalized bee stocks promises to be a major part of the solution to present problems, and protection from well-intentioned germplasm importation as well as incidental/accidental introductions should be emphasized.

FOLLOW-UP

Contacts with other national/regional apicultural agencies/groups/individuals should be pursued as much as possible in order to tap available resources/expertise, such as for example the Ferme d'Experimentation et de Demonstration Apicole (FEDA) [B.P.16043, Petion-Ville, HT6140, Haiti]. A return visit in about six months to Aquin would attempt further training/assessment, with the option of introducing more appropriate technologies/strategies for beekeepers evaluation. Future assistance may include information on organizing cooperatives as a vehicle for development.

DAILY ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Arrived 7/22/02 in Port-au-Prince, met with USAID. 7/23: travel to Aquin, meet with beekeepers association organizers, deliver equipment/supplies. 7/24: conducted equipment workshop by R. Chasser, approximately 10 beekeepers attended. 7/25: conducted live-bee inspections/demonstrations by T. Mozer, another 10 or so attended. 7/26: conducted wrap-up with M. Roger / N. Marks attending, return to P.-au-P., meet USAID. 7/27: toured other FAVACA-related projects nearby. Departed Haiti on 7/28/02.

PERSONS CONSULTED

M. Roger / N. Marks for data/details.