The Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF) recently launched the National Beekeeping Project.

The project aims to certify 20 young individuals in beekeeping under the CVQ/TVET program, along with 30 existing beekeepers.

In addressing those in attendance, Richard Mathius the co-coordinator of Special Projects within the Honey Producers Cooperative expressed the importance of new bee keepers adhering to the guidance of their mentors.

“One of the most important things that new entrants must learn is that you will get a document to reference, and the internet is also full as valuable information, but your mentor, the person that you are attached to is your living reference. That is the person who can look into the hive and tell you what is happening. That is the person who can lift off the cover of the hive and listen to the sound of the hive and tell you what is happening," he said. 

"These little notations that you learn from your mentors, they have learnt through years of experimentation, trial and error, and experiences passed on to them from their mentors. So one of the things that you must appreciate is that the gentlemen who are facilitators and mentors are passing on the baton of their knowledge to you."

Mr. Mathius went on to state how beekeeping should not be looked at as a hobby but a way of life.

“Your focus will be your bees and colonies. On average in a colony there is anything between 20,000 to 40,000 bees inside of one home, so that’s a small army of living organisms that you are managing. If you are a successful bee keeper you may be able to replicate that and have 50 to 60 hives of your own. And 50 multiplied by 20,000 is a lot of bees. You’re in the millions.”

The launch of the National Beekeeping Project was held at the National Wellness Centre.