Project Detail

Developing the capacity to increase the bee population and enhance livelihoods in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia

This project addresses one of the thematic areas selected for funding projects outside the three (3) selected landscapes for investing in OP 6, id est, the Apiculture Production Chain. The project objectives are: (i) To improve and increase the number of the group?s hives by 250; (ii) To increase the number of apiaries through membership drive especially among the youth and through mentoring; (iii) The establishment of a queen rearing and bee package production facility; (iv) To diversify the number of products with effective demand in the market ? bee pollen, royal jelly and propolis; and (v) to increase the capability of the group in Record Keeping, Project and Budget Management; Strategic Planning & Management and Report Writing. This grantee will be expected to join the national network of apiculturists as SGP helps to develop a strong and vibrant industry.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Orising Brothers Honey Producers

Country:

Saint Lucia

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP5 (Extended Period)

Grant Amount:

US$ 49,974.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 4,275.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 28,436.00

Project Number:

STL/SGP/OP5/Y5/CORE/BC/16/01

Start Date:

6/2016

End Date:

8/2018

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Gender Focus

Except for the "lifting of super during harvesting" both men and women are expect to undertake the same activities which include construction of brood and super boxes; mounting frames; hive inspection; queen rearing; record keeping; harvesting propolis, bee pollen and royal jelly; and wax foundation making.

Linkages gef projects

No linkages to date.

Policy Influence

No policy influence.

Planning non gef grant

No such plans.

Planning gef grant

Not at this time.

Policy Impact

Not directly applicable. The grantee will contribute to future changes when the number of projects and grantees reach critical mass and a force for change.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Saint Lucia's second language Kwéyòl will be used extensively as a means of communications with the grantee.

Notable Community Participation

The grantee is expected to mentor at least two young people into full fledged farmers.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The grantee will develop other products for sale in addition to honey. The other products will include propolis, royal jelly, and pollen. There is an effective demand for such products in the Saint Lucian market.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The grantee will target the youth and young people through use of experiential processes. We shall also get them to participate in KM Fairs with other grantees and we expect a manual to be the main medium for sharing skills.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The grantees will use a multiple of KPs to promote the project. They will include the following: reports; brochures/flyers' manuals; electronic media; the media; documentary; and workshops/seminars.

Capacity - Building Component

The organisation will require mentoring and this will be partially achieved through the assignment of an agricultural officer to work with them. Areas of capacity building will include: CVQ certification in queen rearing; food safety; report writing; record keeping; budget management; and strategic planning.

Project sustainability

The project is sustainable due to the increased in production, the lowering of cost and the soon to be completed processing facility which hopefully will be solarised.

Replication of project activities

can be easily replicated though training and access to reports.

Project Results

This project has achieved many results as follows: (i) Increased the number of hive boxes by 500; (ii) Despite the challenges from CC, the production reached 358 gallons; (iii) Eleven young people were trained for CVQs, 9 (2 women and 7 men) attained CVQ Level II Apiculture Qualifications; (iii) The apiaries have become outdoor laboratories for students preparing research papers for CXCs examinations; and (iv) The processing and package plant is 80% compete and when completed will enable the achievement of national standards on the way to HACCP certification.

During project implementation a total of 8 persons were employed, earning a total of US$9793.00. Revenue reached as high as US$6519 in the last production run.

The bees continue to suffer from climatic variability and chalk brood has affected some of the hives, thus weakening them and causing production to decline. To avoid significant losses, the farmers have had to feed the bees on certain occasions.

What is very clear about this project is that the members of Orising Brothers have a more secure income and the environment is not deprived of some of nature's best pollinators.

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