Page 24 - Agric Info Mag 2018 - 01

been on supermarket shelves since 2007. There has been a general increase in hives and honey produc-
tion, however the last 3 – 4 years has seen

farmers suffer losses due to the following challenges:

1. Pest and Diseases

2. Climate Change – continuous rainfall
3. Lack of an apiary primarily designated for the commercial
production of hives and queens where beekeepers can readily ac-
quire bees and queens. Farmers get into beekeeping generally to
produce honey and not necessarily bee stock. Such type of pro-
duction influences honey production.
4. Development of other crop sectors that requires regular
chemical aerial and extensive spraying activities in rural commu-
nities
5. Expansion and building of residential areas that are prolific
for beekeeping
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE EXTENSION ADVISORY SERVICES
PROGRESS OF DOMESTICATED COLONIES AND HONEY IN SVG
DURING THE PERIOD 2006 – 2017
DESCRIPTION 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

Colonies 24 38 80 168 210 420 424 477 461 532 554 569

Honey Prod.
(gallons) 0 50.4 204.4 868 1134 950.8 1748 1153 1039 1136 1302 865.7

*Production in 2017 was an all time low since 2010 when the number of domesticated hives had
surpassed 420.

Overall management of apiaries among
farmers to control swarming and loss of
hives.
The solutions for growth and sustain-
ability of the Beekeeping Industry in
SVG are deeply hinged on the follow-
ing:

1. A strong and vibrant farmers
(beekeeping) organization
2. A model apiary designated to pro-
duce bees and queens to readily replen-
ish farmers who lost hives and other
farmers who need to increase produc-
tion.
3. An equipped technical staff to pro-
vide efficient extension services for
synergetic advancement of beekeeping,