top bar hive the case for ethiopia
TRANSCRIPT
Alternative nonAlternative non--timber top bar hive timber top bar hive from cheap and locally available from cheap and locally available
materialsmaterialsNuruNuru AdgabaAdgaba (PhD)(PhD)
HoletaHoleta Bee Research Center, EthiopiaBee Research Center, EthiopiaEE--mail mail [email protected]@yahoo.com
BackgroundBackground
For the last many decades attempts was made to For the last many decades attempts was made to improve the bk. conditionsimprove the bk. conditions
Particularly timber made top bar hive has been Particularly timber made top bar hive has been considered as an appropriate hive for low income considered as an appropriate hive for low income groupsgroups
Despite long period attempts to introduce these Despite long period attempts to introduce these hives, still did not reach to the majority of rural hives, still did not reach to the majority of rural beekeepersbeekeepers
Background Background contdcontd------
This is, mainly due to their This is, mainly due to their It requires precise specificationIt requires precise specificationAdvanced wood machinesAdvanced wood machinesRelative high prices and un affordabilityRelative high prices and un affordabilityUnavailability for the majority of Unavailability for the majority of bkrsbkrs
Background contd..Background contd..
As a result in most subtropical African countries the As a result in most subtropical African countries the majority of beekeeping is still practiced in traditional majority of beekeeping is still practiced in traditional hives hives
This has certainly affected both the production and This has certainly affected both the production and productivities of beekeeping & quality of bee products.productivities of beekeeping & quality of bee products.
Hence the available apicultural resources are not yet Hence the available apicultural resources are not yet well utilized well utilized
In this aspect to improve the In this aspect to improve the bkbk conditions of the conditions of the region seeking for alternative technological options for region seeking for alternative technological options for different income groups is very essential.different income groups is very essential.
Background contd..Background contd..
In this regard alternative and nonIn this regard alternative and non--timber top bar hive and frames timber top bar hive and frames made from cheap and locally available materials have been testedmade from cheap and locally available materials have been testedfor for
•• its ease of constructionits ease of construction•• adoption and adoption and •• productivity of colonies at farmers levelproductivity of colonies at farmers level
The materials used are: The materials used are: --ArundinariaArundinaria alpine (bamboo)alpine (bamboo), , ArundinariaArundinaria donaxdonax,,OxytenatheraOxytenathera abyssinicaabyssinica and and Eucalyptus sticks Eucalyptus sticks
Such & similar types of materials are widely available in differSuch & similar types of materials are widely available in different ent ecologies of many sub tropical African countriesecologies of many sub tropical African countries
The Design the hiveThe Design the hive
The design is similar to the top bar hive with some modificationThe design is similar to the top bar hive with some modificationss100cm
30cm
40cm
Side walls design
Front & rear sides
22cm
Entrance
10cm 25cm30cm
Types of materials usedTypes of materials used
Solid sticks for hive body framesSolid sticks for hive body frames
For two side walls For Front and rear walls
1m
40cm22cm
Ways of fixing the side wallsWays of fixing the side walls
100cm
30cm
10cm30cm 25cm
Ways of fixing contd.Ways of fixing contd.
Different steps of hive wall frames constructionDifferent steps of hive wall frames construction
1st Each sides has to be constructed
separately
40 cm
22cm
Then the two sides are fixed at the top and
bottom ends
Construction of hive wallConstruction of hive wall
1st the front and rear walls Then the two side walls
Partition groove making for partition board & Q.EPartition groove making for partition board & Q.E
Plastering
Partition boards Q.E.
Groove makingGroove making
Hand made topHand made top--bars preparationbars preparationMachine made timber top-bars
Eucalyptus round top-bars Bamboo splits top-bars
A. donax round top-bars
Production of suitable topProduction of suitable top--bar is the most bar is the most important part of movable hive construction important part of movable hive construction
The major production cost of a hive (labor & The major production cost of a hive (labor & time) goes for the production of top bars ortime) goes for the production of top bars orframesframes
Some of the precautions are Some of the precautions are * Materials should be mature* Materials should be mature
* Dry * Straight * Dry * Straight * Uniform (3.2cm) * Uniform (3.2cm)
How the topHow the top--bars are fit to the hivebars are fit to the hive
Round sticks top-barsBamboo splits top-bars
Roofing materialsRoofing materials
Sheet metals or plastics roofs can be used Sheet metals or plastics roofs can be used
Insulating materialsUnder the roof
Guiding bees to construct straight combsGuiding bees to construct straight combs
Fixing of combs
Straight combs
The hand made topThe hand made top--bars were tested on large bars were tested on large number of honeybees coloniesnumber of honeybees coloniesThe experiment showed the absence of The experiment showed the absence of significant differences significant differences b/nb/n the machine & hand the machine & hand made top barsmade top bars
In honey yieldIn honey yieldComb spacingComb spacingBee spaceBee spaceBrood cell depth Brood cell depth
Applicability of the hive for different purposes Applicability of the hive for different purposes
For nuclei hives For nuclei hives constructionconstruction
For simple colony For simple colony multiplicationmultiplication
About 10 queens About 10 queens per/hive able rearper/hive able rear
Nuclei colonies Nuclei colonies serve as source of serve as source of income 20income 20--25 25 US/nucleiUS/nuclei
Relative advantages of this hiveRelative advantages of this hive
Better honey yield 3x > than traditional hiveBetter honey yield 3x > than traditional hiveBetter quality honey Better quality honey Easy to construct using hand toolsEasy to construct using hand tools
55--8 times cheaper than timber made hives8 times cheaper than timber made hivesAllows to use wide range of materialsAllows to use wide range of materialsEnvironmentally friendlyEnvironmentally friendlyCan be used for simple colony multiplicationCan be used for simple colony multiplicationCan be done by women and persons with Can be done by women and persons with disability disability
The adoption of the technologyThe adoption of the technology
20,000 hives were constructed
Can create job opportunitiesCan create job opportunities
Local carpenters can Manufactures and sell the hive
and or top-bars
Conclusion Conclusion
Such hive can serve as one technological Such hive can serve as one technological options for low income groupsoptions for low income groupsContribute to improve the production and Contribute to improve the production and productivity of beekeepingproductivity of beekeepingIt will serve as bridge to transform from It will serve as bridge to transform from traditional to box hive beekeepingtraditional to box hive beekeepingHowever the promotion of this hive should not However the promotion of this hive should not be on the expenses of box hivebe on the expenses of box hive