World Vision introduces local beekeepers to larger market

Friday, December 23, 2016

A 'Honey Festival' was organised in Telavi, where a number of beekeepers  presented their honey products, traditional sweets, candles and souvenirs made from honey. The festival, supported by World Vision Georgia, Kakheti Area Development Programme and Kakheti Beekeepers Association, was organised within World Vision’s “Beekeeping for economic development” project that comprises 23 villages in Kakheti Area. The “Ghamurebi” band and traditional folk ensemble entertained visitors during the festival.

The festival was attended by a huge number of people, including Telavi City Mayor Mr.Kalmakhelidze, Telavi Municipality representatives, regional representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as World Vision Georgia representatives.

The project that initially focused only on household’s economic empowerment has evolved into the establishment of the beekeeping association that further takes the shape of a structured business. This is definitely stirring much interest in beekeeping among community members and ensures the sustainability of the initiative started by World Vision Georgia.” – says Eka Zhvania, World Vision Georgia country director

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It has been already three years since World Vision started the “Beekeeping for economic development” project. 2016 was the most successful year for the project according to the World Vision’s staff in Kakheti Programme and Kakheti Beekeepers Association.The project “Beekeeping for economic development” is funded by World Vision Hong-Kong and it has been implementing in three phases. The first phase started in 2012 with the participation of almost 60 beginner or professional beekeepers. During the second phase of the project, 2014-2015, the number of participants increased by 90. In the current third phase there are an additional 82 beneficiaries.

During every phase of the project, beneficiaries were given a grant to startup a business or develop the already existing one. Furthermore, they attended a number of professional training sessions about a big variety of topics related to beekeeping, including: bee biology, bee-products, bee-diseases, medicines and more.

The courses also included marketing, branding, and project-writing skills so that the farmers are able to run their businesses successfully.

After gaining the necessary knowledge and skills for running the business, the project beneficiaries also received essential inventories and beehives for their businesses. Each of them were given seven beehives, books, medicines and other important items.

Kakheti beekeepers association was established in the second phase of the project. It started with five members which increased to 63 members. The biggest role of the association is to provide information about recent technologies, newly discovered illnesses and medicines. It also protects its members’ rights and assists when necessary.

“I think that being a member of the association has significantly helped me improve my business, increase sales and keep in touch with the latest information about my business field.”- says Sopho Potolashvili, a member of the Kakheti Beekeepers Association.

 

Beneficiaries have improved their financial status; according to the project outcomes each beekeeper has increased their monthly income by 100-800 GEL (US$40-300) which is more than one family’s average income.

The Honey Festival has become a tradition in Telavi, and ‘it will surely expand next year’ organisers say. With the support of Telavi Municipality and Telavi City Hall, the Honey Festival in 2017 will not only involve the members of the association, but also all the beekeepers from the Kakheti Region.