Improving the Effectiveness of Beekeeping Training: A Case Study of Beekeeping Instructors in Fiji

Abstract

Introduction Beekeeping for the purposes of improving rural household incomes has increasingly been promoted in low and middle income countries in the past decade (Bradbear, 2009; Schouten, 2020). Beekeeping is arguably one of the most mutualistic and regenerative forms of agriculture globally, contributes to social and cultural heritage values and provides important pollination services for crops and natural forest ecosystems (Crane, 1999; Schouten et al., 2019). There are many income generating opportunities within beekeeping industries including sales of beekeeping inputs such as queen bees, nucleus colonies, bee boxes, veils, gloves, frames, wax foundation, rental of bee colonies for crop pollination, sales of honey, beeswax and propolis (Schouten, Lloyd, Alexanderson et al., 2020). Additional income opportunities exist from providing beekeeping support services such as honey collection and extension services offered by government organizations and non-government organizations (GOs and NGOs), and private sector beekeeping workshops and training.