Aerodynamically, the bumble bee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumble bee doesn't know it so it goes on flying anyway.
Introduction
Since the passage of tropical storm Nicole, which battered Jamaica in September 2010, destroying more than 80 bee colonies in the western parish, the Hanover Bee Farmers Association (HBFA) has been working to implement a project aimed at getting farmers back on their feet, and providing apprenticeships for unemployed youth in the community.
The JNBS Foundation has stepped in to assist with the resuscitation efforts by awarding a grant in the amount of $350,000 to the HBFA. The handover was held at the HBFA’s headquarters in the offices of the Rural Agricultural Development Agency in Lucea on March 17.
The project will directly benefit at least eleven members and indirectly boosting the more than 60 member farmers in the association, who are between the ages of 18 and 80.
With the grant, the Association will purchase material to build 240 boxes to set up a trainee programme, which will instruct farmers in proper bee keeping methods, box making as well as equip apprentices with all the necessary materials to start, including boxes, smokers, hive tools and veils. Eleven persons, five of whom are trainees, will attend three workdays during April. The first workshop will focus on measuring and cutting board boarding and box making.
Apiary management as well as the recording and the handing over of boxes will be completed in sessions later in the month.
Through their association, the bee farmers are themselves contributing to the resuscitation project. Five hundred frames, hive covers and boards will be provided, in addition to the HBFA undertaking labour costs and some of the training expenses.
