Beekeeping Development Project Economic Analysis

BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
SUBMITTED BY:
MgtWell Consulting Services
Address: Yaftali Watt, Ansari Square, Shahr - E- Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan
email: mgtwell@aol.com | Cell No. +93781266164

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (BDP)
Funded by: Agence Francaise de Development (AFD)

Beekeeping Development Project Economic Analysis
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Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

Reference No. MAIL / AFD/BDP/REOI - 006-03-2016

BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (BDP)
FUNDED BY: Agence Française de Development
(AFD)
AFD GRANT NO: CAF1041 AFG 390614

SUBMITTED BY:
MgtWell Consulting Services (MgtWell)
Address: Yaftali Watt, Ansari Square, Shahr - E- Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan
email: mgtwell@aol.com | Cell No. +93781266164

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List of Abbreviations
AFD Agency French Development
AIRP Arghandab Irrigation and Rehabilitation Project
ASAP Accelerating Sustainable Agriculture Project
BAHDP Beekeeping and Animal Husbandry Development Project
BDP Beekeeping Development Project
CHA Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance
CIMIC Civil- Military Cooperation
CNTF Counter Narcotic Trust Fund
COAM Conservation Organization for Afghan Mountain areas
CRS Catholic Relief Services
DAIL Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
DBC Darulaman Beekeeping Center
DACAAR Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugee
EAC European Arboricultural Council
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization
FCOMAIL French Cooperation Office for MAIL
FSC Farmer Service Center
NHLP National Horticulture and Livestock Project
NOL No Objection Letter
MAIL Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock
PIN People in Need
PMU Project Management Unit
PRT Province Rehabilitation Team

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Table of Contents
List of Abbreviations .......................................................................................................... 2
Executive Summary ........................................................................................................... 5
Chapter - 1 ........................................................................................................................ 8
Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 8
Background ....................................................................................................................... 9
Chapter - 2 ...................................................................................................................... 12
Beekeeping Development Project Economic Analysis ...................................................... 12
Objectives of the Economic Analysis ......................................................................................... 12
Scope of the Project ................................................................................................................. 13
Methodology ........................................................................................................................... 13
Limitations of the study ............................................................................................................ 16
Chapter - 3 ...................................................................................................................... 17
Beekeeping Development Project .................................................................................... 17
Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 17
Objectives ................................................................................................................................ 17
Strategy ................................................................................................................................... 18
Achievements of BDP ............................................................................................................... 19
A. Communication and Coordination .......................................................................................... 20
B. Providing of technical support and assistance to beekeepers ................................................ 22
C. Providing of support and assistance of Darulaman Beekeeping Center .................................. 22
D. Provide support and assistance to MAIL Directorate in the province ..................................... 22
E. Providing technical support and assistance to Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research
Laboratory (CVDRL) ..................................................................................................................... 23
F. Research activities on BDP apiary ............................................................................................ 23
G. Capacity Building ..................................................................................................................... 23
Status and Component wise Achievements of the BDP ............................................................. 24
Research studies ...................................................................................................................... 25
Baseline Survey (July - August 2012) .......................................................................................... 25
National Beekeeping Survey (September - November 2014) ...................................................... 26
Constraints and Challenges of Beekeeping in Afghanistan ........................................................ 28
Challenges and constraints of BDP ............................................................................................ 29
Progress of the BDP .................................................................................................................. 30
Chapter - 4 ...................................................................................................................... 31
Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 31
Beekeepers .............................................................................................................................. 31
Gender in beekeeping .............................................................................................................. 36
Market analysis ........................................................................................................................ 38
Secondary stakeholders ........................................................................................................... 38

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Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 39
Beekeepers .............................................................................................................................. 39
Market analysis ........................................................................................................................ 42
Secondary stakeholders ........................................................................................................... 43
Capacity development ..................................................................................................... 43
Beekeepers .............................................................................................................................. 43
Market analysis ........................................................................................................................ 47
Secondary analysis ................................................................................................................... 47
Beekeeping value-chain ................................................................................................... 47
References ...................................................................................................................... 50
Notes .............................................................................................................................. 50
Annexures ....................................................................................................................... 51
Annexure - 1 BDP Economic Study Analysis .............................................................................. 51
Annexure - 2 Questionnaire ...................................................................................................... 51

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Executive Summary
Afghanistan, a hilly and agricultural country with rich and diverse agro- climatic conditions
offers high potential for honey production from many kinds of cultivable and wild honey
plants. Agriculture is critical to Afghanistan’s food security and a driver of economic growth.
The sector’s share in overall employment is 59%. Agriculture contributes 22 % to the
national GDP of Afghanistan in the year 2015. Over 2 million people are involved in this
sector.
Beekeeping Development Project (BDP) along with the Animal Husbandry Development
Project (AHDP), are the two development programs of the government of Afghanistan
funded by AFD (Agence Française de Development). These projects are implemented since
July 2012.
Beekeeping Development Project had a project duration of 3 three years, from July 2012 to
June 2015, with a fund of 3 million Euros. The project is extended to December 2017. The
implementation of BDP was managed through a Project Management Unit (PMU) called
Beekeeping and Animal Husbandry Development Project (BAHDP) established in program
directorate of MAIL.

To assess the impact of the Beekeeping Development Project and especially in the context
of economy the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) has assigned
MgtWell Consulting Services, Kabul the project: Beekeeping Development Project Economic
Analysis.

Traditionally beekeeping with cerana bees has been known in some parts of Afghanistan for
centuries. Before 1940, MAIL had a beekeeping development program with clay pots and in
1953 - beekeeping was officially included in framework of MAIL and 100 hives of bees (Apis
Mellifera) were imported from Italy through assistance of FAO. Darulaman Beekeeping
Center (DBC) started in 1987 had been rehabilitated and supported in the following years
with hives, tools and equipment to become centre for research and dissemination.
Darulaman Beekeeping Development Centre was built in 1996. From 2012- till now, BDP
supported the beekeeping program through different capacity building sessions,
rehabilitation of beekeeping centers, research experiments and provision of beekeeping
tools and materials.

At present the beekeeping activity is present in 30 of the 34 Provinces (except Jawzjan, Sar-
e-pol, Faryab, and Nimroz provinces). There were 6703 beekeepers having 222341 beehives
with annual production of 1743 Metric Tonnes in 30 Provinces from 7 agro-ecological zones,
according to the report on

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The local honey market is good but the Afghan honey could not compete with foreign honey
both in terms of price and quality. Besides, the Government is not having a system to
analyze and to give certification on the quality and on the geographic origin of honey.

The Beekeeping Development Project aimed to reinforce capacities of the Beekeeping value
chain autonomy in Afghanistan, in order to increase food security and income generation
especially in remote areas. The project has specific objectives 1) Beekeeping with efficient
increased honey production 2) Higher income through commercialization by reaching
national and regional markets. 3) Value chain creation for better marketing. 4) Additional
jobs and additional income 5) Community organisation for professional honey production
and 6) Increase orchards’ production through improved pollination.
The BDP had several achievements despite constraints and limitations. Briefly the
achievements include the following: 1) Building local expertise through training of MAIL
staff, beekeepers, carpenters and students, exposure visits to beekeepers 2) Securing access
to inputs 3) Valorization of bee products through hiring experts for conducting training
programmes on beekeeping and supporting research experimental trials. 4) Structuring and
capacity building of professional organizations like rehabilitation of beekeeping centers,
providing beekeeping tools and materials to beekeeping cooperatives/ associations and
individual beekeepers, Baseline survey of Darulaman Beekeeping Development Centre,
comprehensive Beekeeping National Survey in November 2014, established a Beekeeping
Technical Committee, preliminary work for establishment of Beekeepers’ National Union,
conducting 2 National Level Conferences on Beekeeping in September 2013 and May 2016,
declaring May 12 as the National Honeybee Day to promote Afghan honey beekeeping
industry, etc.
Presently, the status of beekeeping in Afghanistan is as such: In year 2012 there were 3432
beekeepers, 31386 beehives and honey production was 1182719 kgs per annum. In year
2014 there were 6108 beekeepers, 210081 beehives and honey production was 1376455
kgs per annum. In year 2016 there were 6703 beekeepers, 222341 beehives and honey
production was 1743000 kgs per annum.
A comprehensive national survey on beekeeping conducted between September and
November 2014 estimated a total of 6,108 beekeepers (5,554 Male & 554 Female) having
210,081 colonies. The women in beekeeping represent about 10% only.
In the above context an Economic Analysis of the BDP study was assigned with the following
scope of work: 1) Background, objectives, strategy and implementation of the varied
components of BDP 2) Achievements of BDP as per objectives of the project 3) Challenges
and constraints of the project and 4) Provide qualitative and quantitative data in description
of the BDP.
The methodology of the study includes: The secondary information, in the form of Annual
report, Evaluation Reports, success stories, survey reports etc., were analyzed.BDP
Economic Analysis study report is based on the primary and secondary sources of

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information. Information for the economic analysis was collected through four structured
questionnaires for different categories of respondents. The four formats include the
following: 1. Questionnaire for Beekeepers 2. Questionnaire for Beekeeping / Animal
Husbandry Staff of Provincial Offices of MAIL 3. Questionnaire for Marketing of Honey and
4. Questionnaire for Gender Analysis
In the field study finally covered the different stakeholders beekeepers both men and
women, and secondary stakeholders from 12 Provinces of Afghanistan. The provinces for
the study were selected in consultation with BDP/MAIL. The provinces are: Panjsher,
Nangarhar, Kapisa, Kandahar, Paktia, Kabul, Laghman, Logar, Takhar, Maidan Wardak,
Bamyan, and Herat.
Given the nature of the study, both qualitative and quantitative data has been collected, for
specific indicators, for tracking the impact/ changes witnessed as result of the project over
time of implementation, covering sample number of households of the population has been
randomly selected from targeted 12 provinces.

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Chapter - 1
Introduction
Afghanistan is a hilly, agricultural country with very high potential for honey production
from many kinds of cultivable and wild honey plants. The Afghan Flora offers a broad range
of high-quality honey, which makes Afghanistan a great region for beekeeping. Due to
excellent agro- climatic conditions, these plants produce an abundance of nectar and pollen.
Beekeeping in Afghanistan provides an attractive income generating opportunity for low-
income families and small landowners, as investments are limited and the market for honey
is growing.
Agriculture value added to the national GDP of Afghanistan in the year 2015 was 22% of the
total GDP. Similarly, horticultural activities have produced significant returns to farmers and
traders. Over 2 million people are involved in this sector generating revenues more than
$700 million contributing to 6.7% of overall GDP and 34% of agricultural GDP.
Livestock production contributes 3.8% of National GDP and 15% of agricultural GDP valued
at $ 684 million. The overall performance of agriculture in Afghanistan is very much
dependent on cereal production, which accounted for over three-fourth (77%) of the
agricultural GDP at 2010/11 market prices.
Afghanistan’s agriculture is critical to food security and economic growth. The Afghans
primary livelihoods source and family's sustenance is from farming. The sector’s share in
overall employment is 59%. Before decades of conflict, Afghanistan’s agricultural products
earned a global reputation for excellence, particularly almonds, pomegranates, pistachios,
raisins, and apricots.
The physiography of Afghanistan is mostly mountainous, which dominates the central and
eastern part of Afghanistan, covering about three-fourths of the country. The huge Hindu
Kush mountain range stretches from the northeast to the southwest, where it extends into
the Koh-i-Baba mountain range. Where all three of Afghanistan major river systems, the
Kabul, the Helmand -Arghandab, and the Hari River originates. In the northeastern outskirts
the Hindu Kush range borders with the plateau of Pamir, and the range of Karakorum. The
highest peak of the Hindu Kush in Afghanistan is Noshaq mountains (7,492 m). Deserts cover
the southern and western parts of the country. A loess plateau, sloping towards the north,
covers the northern part of the country; it borders with the outskirts of the vast Karakum
Desert where the lowest point of Afghanistan (259m) is situated. The level of water in the
rivers oscillates greatly. The highest level is in spring and early summer. The country’s
limited forest resources suffered depletion to meet demands of lucrative export markets
and for firewood.
Beekeeping Development Project (BDP) along with the Animal Husbandry Development
Project (AHDP), are the two development programs of the government of Afghanistan
funded by AFD (Agence Française de Development). These projects were approved on 12
October 2011, are being implemented since July 2012 (BAHDP Annual Report 2015, p. 3).

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French Cooperation Office for MAIL (FCOMAIL), farmers and Ministry of Agriculture,
Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) prepared the proposals of Beekeeping Development Project
(BDP) and Animal Husbandry Development Project (AHDP), for the sustainability and
development of beekeeping, fish farming and animal husbandry development activities in
Afghanistan with the support of Agency French Development (AFD).
Background
Beekeeping has great potential in promotion of rural economy, livelihoods for beekeepers
and allied workers among many other advantages. Afghanistan has a very high potential for
honey production with many kinds of cultivable and wild plants. Traditional beekeeping with
cerana bees has been known in some parts of Afghanistan (Nuristan, Kunar, Nangarhar, and
Paktia Province) for centuries. Historically, the development and promotion of beekeeping
in Afghanistan is as such:
Before 1940, MAIL had a beekeeping development program with clay pots.
After 1940, MAIL sent a specialist to Turkey. He learnt and imported the removable
frames beehive management of the standard Langstroth type. But due to excessive
swarming and absconding of the local bees, it was not possible to produce much honey.
In 1953- beekeeping was officially included in framework of MAIL and 100 hives of bees
(Apis Mellifera) were imported from Italy through assistance of FAO.
In 1976, MAIL had 4000 hives and Afghan beekeeper 40000 hives of (Apis Mellifera), and
60 tonnes of honey was exported that year.
In 1977, 5 private beekeeping organizations were established.
In 1979, due to war and diseases, many beehives were destroyed. Many professional
beekeepers migrated to Pakistan. American foulbrood, a very contagious disease, was
diagnosed for the first time.
In 1987, the construction of Darulaman Beekeeping Center started.
In 2002, the construction work of Darulaman Beekeeping Center restarted and in 2003 it
started functioning.
In 2002, Iran assisted 100 hives with some tools and equipment to Darulaman Beekeeping
Center.

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From 2005-2012, FCOMAIL started the beekeeping development program and
supported beekeepers and Darulaman Beekeeping Center through capacity building,
provision of beekeeping tools and materials and design of Beekeeping Development
Project (BDP).
From 2012- till now, BDP supported the beekeeping program through different capacity
building sessions, rehabilitation of beekeeping centers, supporting research experiments
and provision of beekeeping qualitative tools and materials.
Vast experience has been gained during the past years and the Darulaman center is
recognized as the core structure for different services.
Beekeeping has the potential to be carried out as big agricultural and forestry projects. Flora
of Afghanistan provides suitable situation for bees’ productive living. That helps agriculture
and wild plants pollination. Beekeeping has environmental benefits too. It improves crops
and fruits quantity and quality. Besides, beekeeping provides additional and non-perishable
nutrition for people. It provides cash for local people through wax and honey. It is an
additional source of income for farmers not fully occupied in cultivation of crops. It can be a
great source of additional income for small farmers. Rural households with small land, which
is not qualitatively useful for agriculture also, can support beekeeping.
There are two kinds of beekeepers in Afghanistan viz., a) Small beekeepers who have some
beehives in their garden and supplement their incomes by selling of honey, and b)
Professional beekeepers who have mostly migratory apiaries.
Beekeeping is also a popular subject in agricultural schools and institutes in Afghanistan.
Popularity of beekeeping is evident from the fact that 35 out of 48 agricultural schools and
20 out of 24 agricultural / veterinary institutes teach beekeeping as one of the subjects.
Situation before the Beekeeping Development Project
The local honey market is good but the Afghan honey could not compete with foreign honey
both in terms of price and quality. In addition, the Government does not have capacity to
analyze and to give certification on the quality and on the geographic origin of honey. One
of the main problems in beekeeping is the lack of knowledge among the beekeepers on the
best practices to improve the quality of their bee products.
There are very few bee specialists in Afghanistan capable of conducting practical courses for
beekeepers and providing the necessary backstopping on specific topics, such as honey
processing, quality control, traceability and packaging.
The provincial field staff of MAIL does lacks adequate knowledge, skills and resources
required for the extension work as needed. Besides, there is a general lack of
documentation and technical information on beekeeping and bee products.

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Technical assistance has already been provided through specially designed training courses,
initiating the development of beekeeper cooperatives and support to input supply and
marketing, through the French Cooperation Office for MAIL (FCO-MAIL).
Growth of a robust beekeepers’ national organization covering large number of scattered
beekeepers and their cooperatives across the country holds great promise for sustainable
livelihoods of the rural households. Some cooperatives also specialize as inputs providers,
marketing or selling. Direct (honey and other hives’ products) but also indirect contributions
(pollination, artisan) of a one million beehives potential in Afghanistan will be crucial for the
national economy and livelihoods of people in rural Afghanistan.
Many government and non governmental agencies have introduced beekeeping projects
and programmes to support beekeeping in Afghanistan. PRTs, CIMIC, Agha Khan
Foundation, Mission East, Terre de Hommes, Mothers for Peace, Mercy Corps, DACAAR,
EAC, Afghan Aid, FCOMAIL, CRS, World Vision, Mission East and GTZ (German Technical
Cooperation), etc., were enlisted into supporting beekeeping development in many ways.
They involved in promotion of beekeeping towards improving community’s resilience in
addressing challenges of livelihoods and food security.
Need for the BDP Economic Analysis
Although beekeeping has been growing since mid 70s, both with interventions of
government and non governmental agencies as well the beekeepers, there has been also
growing concern to promote beekeeping at national level as a source of livelihoods and
economic development of the rural areas. Accordingly, MAIL has requested Agency for
French Development (AFD) to strengthen the existing initiatives through Beekeeping
Development Project (BDP/MAIL).
Beekeeping Development Project had a project duration of three years, from July 2012 to
June 2015. The project is extended to December 2017. The implementation of BDP was
managed through a Project Management Unit (PMU) called Beekeeping and Animal
Husbandry Development Project (BAHDP) established in program directorate of MAIL.
To assess the economic analysis of the BDP the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and
Livestock (MAIL) has assigned MgtWell Consulting Services, Kabul the task of study :
Beekeeping Development Project Economic Analysis.

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Chapter - 2
An Economic Analysis of the Beekeeping Development Project is proposed in the
background of the Beekeeping Development Project being implemented since July 2012.
Objectives of the Economic Analysis
The overarching goal of the assignment is to assess the needs for institutional building and
capacity development; describe, analyze the value chain from a market point of view
(analyse the situation, constraint and challenges and how to invest on the sector
development and commercialization).
• Analysis of the Quantitative and qualitative data collected from the field
• Analysis of Secondary data provided by the BDP
• Analysis of Baseline data
• Statistical analysis of the data pertaining to BDP
• Presentation of the data in graphs, tables, etc in the report
• Final report as per the objectives of the project.
Specific Objectives
● To review details of the study with MAIL provincial directors in the concerned
areas and with representatives of beekeepers.
● To assess production trends for honey production and marketing, and the
potential for commercial honey collection systems and supply of raw honey of
acceptable quality.
● To assess market trends for honey and other bee products and the
opportunities for raising income for beekeepers though the established beekeeping
cooperatives/associations and/or support of existing facilities.
● To assess the present farm management and the options for improvement of
honey production per hive though support services (seasonal management and hive
placement, bees’ health and re-queening, training and extension on beekeeping
practices).
● To assess the needs, interest and constraints amongst the producers for
investing in improving honey production and honey quality.
● To assess the organizational structures for the commercial and sustainable
operation of honey and other bee products collection, processing and marketing
(based on cooperative systems and beekeepers’ participation).
● To prepare a preliminary action plan for an integrated beekeeping
development program to be financed by BDP in future, covering the total chain from
bees to consumer and with special emphasis on increased economic benefit for the
rural producers and the rural community.

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● To establish indicators and assess the impact of BDP on the development of
the honey values chain
Scope of the Project
The scope of work of preparing a report on the BDP is to capture the following:
1. Background, objectives, strategy and implementation of the varied components of BDP
2. Achievements of BDP as per objectives of the project
3. Challenges and constraints of the project
4. Provide qualitative and quantitative data in description of the BDP.

Key outputs
Output 1: Inception report detailing the proposed methodology, data and tools to be used.
Inception report was finalized in consultation with MAIL and submitted;
Output 2: Description of the project background, objectives, strategy, implementation of the
components and achievements as per the project design and Annual Reports;
Output 3: Challenges and constraints faced by the project;
Output 4: Qualitative and quantitative details of the BDP implementation; and
Output 5: Success stories, case studies, learnings and recommendations.

Methodology
The aim of the Economic Analysis study is to measure the indicators related to project
objectives. To measure the mandatory indicators mentioned in the RFP developed by the
client for economic survey. The survey was conducted between October 2016 and
November 2016.
The specific objectives of this study
I. Mapping information pertaining to specific indicators related to Project
objectives as defined in the RFP;
II. Mapping social, and economic context before and during implementation of
the project, and
III. Mapping best practices and lesson learned for the future.
Specifically the following aspects have been covered
● Livelihoods: Impact of the project on livelihoods of the beneficiaries

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● Honey production: Impact of the project to improve honey production and
productivity
● Market Analysis: Market accessibility of bee owners to services and
sustainability of these services in rural areas
● Gender: Impact of the project on women’s’ empowerment including
decision-making and community levels, access and control over income resources
The target groups/respondents
The survey was conducted using structured formats for collecting both qualitative and
quantitative information. The study included four categories of respondents viz.,
Beekeepers, Beekeeping Cooperatives and Associations, Officials of Beekeeping / Animal
Husbandry Staff of Provincial Offices of MAIL, and sellers (representatives of local markets,
super markets, groceries etc).
Work plan comprised three components as follows
(1) Collection of qualitative and quantitative data and reports from the BDP/
MAIL
(2) Analysis of the available data
(3) Preparation of the draft report
BDP provided support during the collection of data from the primary and secondary
stakeholders. Research design, tools of data collection, provision of secondary data,
sampling, selection of officials for detailed interviews, and guidance for logistic aspects
during the field study was done in consultation and approval of the BDP/MAIL.
Government support to this initiative has been in-kind and included provision of the
following:
(i) Designating the representative of BDP/MAIL to interact and share required
information,
(ii) Providing feedback on draft report and final report
Desk review and secondary research
All relevant and available secondary data provided by the client about the BDP and also
other relevant reports or information from other sources were reviewed to help understand
the context of beekeeping in current times of Afghanistan. The desk review of secondary
data was also required to guide in designing the questionnaires.
The secondary information, in the form of reports, provided by the BDP were analyzed. The
survey formats were shared with BDP and they were approved before conducting the study.
Secondary data referred and analyzed for the report include the following:
1. Baseline Survey of Target Areas (July - August 2012)
2. Beekeeping Survey Report (September - November 2014)
3. BAHDP Annual Report (July - December 2012)
4. BAHDP Annual Report (January - December 2013)

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7. Aide Memoire – AFD Agriculture Evaluation 2005-2013 (May 2014)
8. Reports on First and Second National Conference on Beekeeping in May 2013
and September 2016 respectively
9. Honey imports from 2012 to 2015
10. Success Stories
Quantitative survey: The impact study required extensive quantitative survey of the
specified number of the households in the treatment areas.
Geographic Scope: The BDP project covered 32 provinces (as mentioned in the RFP) in
Afghanistan. Selection of districts for the Economic Analysis has been done in close
consultation with BDP taking into account the security and mobility of enumerators during
field-work. The field study finally covered different stakeholders/ respondents from twelve
Provinces for the study. They are Panjsher, Kabul, Maidan Wardak, Logar, Laghman,
Nangarhar, Kapisa, Kandahar, Paktia, Takhar, Herat, and Bamyan.

Map of Afghanistan, with agro-climatic zones
Data collection: BDP Economic Analysis Report aims to capture qualitative and quantitative
information regarding the economic analysis of Beekeeping in Afghanistan, implementation
and achievements of BDP. The analysis is based on the primary and secondary sources of
information.
Information for the economic analysis were collected from twelve provinces where the
Beekeeping Development Project was implemented, through four structured questionnaires
(see Annexure - 1). The formats, shared with the Project Director and the senior technical
advisor, BDP, for their perusal and approval, were field tested and further improved. The
four formats used for data collection for the economic analysis include the following:

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1. Questionnaire for Beekeepers (ten provinces)
2. Questionnaire for Beekeeping / Animal Husbandry Staff of Provincial Offices of MAIL
(Five)
3. Questionnaire for Marketing of Honey
4. Questionnaire for Gender Analysis (two provinces).
Sampling: Given the nature of the study, both qualitative and quantitative data has been
collected, for specific indicators of the project over time of implementation. From the list of
beekeepers provided by the BDP, the respondents were randomly selected for the survey.
The number of the respondents in each province was ensured to robust big enough to draw
reliable and meaningful analysis and findings based on them. Sample of households covered
select districts of the project, in consultation with the BDP, so as to capture information on
the BDP project.
Quantitative and qualitative Tools: The standard economic survey questionnaires were
developed for conducting the survey in the project areas. Taking into account the feature of
the BDP, specific questionnaires were developed to cover specific aspects of different
groups of stakeholders such as beekeepers, cooperatives and associations of the
beekeepers, officials, sellers, etc (see Annexure for the Questionnaires). MgtWell research
team worked closely with BDP team during tools development and approval and
finalization. Qualitative information was collected from the stakeholders. Focus Group
Discussion (FGDs) were used as means for collecting qualitative data.
Selection and Training of enumerators: Experienced investigators were given training on
the formats specially designed for the study. MgtWell hired qualified enumerators for data
collection and supervisors to supervise the data collection process and check the filled
questionnaires. MgtWell research team selected enumerators and trained them for the
study focused on economic analysis of BDP.
The questionnaires for different Categories of the respondents were pre-tested in the field
prior to practical data collection. Pretest was useful to test the applicability of the questions,
language and order of questions etc., and tools of data collection were finalized
incorporating learnings from the pre-test.
Data compilation and analysis: MgtWell used software for compilation of data, statistical
analysis and graphical presentation. The MgtWell research team checked for errors in data
entry. The results of which are presented in the final report as well as the final presentation
of the findings.
Limitations of the study
Considering the security reasons and the provinces suggested by the BDP were considered
for the study. Details about distribution of beekeepers, number of beehives and annual
production from data collected during the Second Beekeeping National Conference and
Beekeeping Survey Report of 2014 have been referred wherever it permitted comparison.

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Chapter - 3
Beekeeping Development Project
Beekeeping Development Project had a project duration of three years, from July 2012 to
June 2015, with a fund of 3 million Euros. The project is extended to December 2017. The
implementation of BDP was managed through a Project Management Unit (PMU) called
Beekeeping and Animal Husbandry Development Project (BAHDP) established in program
directorate of MAIL.
In Afghanistan, beekeeping is considered as one of the important aspects of improving the
livelihoods of farmers. There is a requirement to reinforce the capacities of the Beekeeping
value chain autonomy in Afghanistan, to increase food security and income generation,
especially in remote areas. Beekeeping sector promises significant potential for promotion
of rural employment and incomes for small farmers including women who could be trained
and facilitated to become self reliant entrepreneurs through capacity building, technical
advice, improved access to tools and equipment, marketing and collective action through
cooperatives and associations.
Introduction
The Beekeeping Development Project will contribute to the evolution of a Public Centre
towards a Private Technical Structure in support to the all Beekeeping Value Chain in
Afghanistan and managed by Cooperatives and their union.
Objectives
The Project aimed to reinforce capacities of the Beekeeping value chain autonomy in
Afghanistan, in order to increase food security and income generation especially in remote
areas.
Specific Objectives
1. Beekeeping with efficient increased honey production
2. Higher income through commercialization by reaching national and regional
markets.
3. Value chain creation for better marketing.
4. Additional jobs and additional income
5. Community organisation for professional honey production
6. Increase orchards’ production through improved pollination
BDP had four main components viz.,
1. Building local expertise through training, communication and information
dissemination to public and private actors involved in beekeeping activities.
2. Securing access to inputs (wax and veterinary drugs mainly) through imports
and local purchases.

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3. Valorization of all bee products through training and research trials (Honey,
pollen, propolis, Royal jelly, queens, swarms…) and services (like hives lending for
orchards pollination) to increase local added value; and
4. Structuring professional organizations according to their respective mandate
and allowing Value Chain’s autonomy.
Strategy
A multi-pronged strategy for improving value chain of Beekeeping in Afghanistan through
development of institutional infrastructure, research and technical resource, capacity
building of beekeepers, supply of materials and equipment, and encouraging private sector
to supply the inputs and tools to the beekeepers. The strategy included following measures:
● Support Darulaman Beekeeping National Center
● Rehabilitation of Beekeeping Center and improve infrastructure through
equipment
● Honey process, Wax process, Tools and medicines store
● Expérimentations
● Training and technical advice for beekeepers
● Communication and documentation
● Marketing
● National coordination
● Local assistance and external assistance
● Support beekeeping development in Provinces
● Coordination between MAIL, Beekeepers’ organizations, and all organizations
involved in Apiculture
● Train and support Provincial MAIL staff
● One MAIL staff in charge of supervision of provinces in a zone (7 Zones)
● Furniture and equipment, library, technical documentation
● One apiary school
● Supply inputs (wax sheets, drugs, tools)
● Securing access to inputs (wax and veterinary drugs mainly) through imports
and local purchases. Import of veterinary drugs (related to beekeeping) and Wax
blocks
● Wax processing and recycling the local wax
● Encourage private sector to sell beekeeping tools and inputs
● Standardization of hives
Current Situation 2016
Institutional support and resources, although not adequate, are also available in Afghanistan
for development of beekeeping. Darulaman Beekeeping Development Centre was built in
1996. It was estimated that in 2016 the number of mellifera honey bees colonies are about
2,22,341 and the beekeepers are 6703 and the total honey produced is 1741.3 metric

19
tonnes in Afghanistan1
. Beekeeping activity is present in 30 of the 34 Provinces (except
Jawzjan, Sar-e-pol, Faryab, and Nimroz provinces).
Achievements of BDP
The BDP had several achievements despite constraints and limitations. The achievements of
BDP from July 2012- June 2015 include the following:
1 Building local expertise:
• Trained 3292 MAIL staff, beekeepers, carpenters and students
• 156 beekeepers participated in exposure visits.
2. Securing access to inputs
• Procured and distributed 40 MT pure wax, 1000 lit formic acid and 2500 pocket Apivar to
beekeepers.
• Processed and printed 3512 kg wax related to 25 beekeepers.
3. Valorization of bee products through
• 6 short term experts hired to conduct six training programmes on bee diseases, value
chain of honey bee products, queen rearing, pollination, and bee pocket.
• 7 research experimental trials conducted (wax, drugs, pollination etc.)
4. Structuring and capacity building of professional organizations
• 4 beekeeping centers rehabilitated (Darulaman Beekeeping Center, Nangarhar Beekeeping
Center, Kapisa Beekeeping Center, and Parwan Beekeeping Center).
• Equipped 5 beekeeping centres
• Procured and distributed 600 beehives to 30 DAIL offices
• Provided beekeeping tools and materials to 24 beekeeping cooperatives, 5 beekeeping
associations and 331 individual beekeepers
• Procured 40 cubic meter wood timber for preparing standard tools.
• Baseline survey of Darulaman Beekeeping development Centre in July-August 2012
• Conducted a comprehensive Beekeeping National Survey during September to November
2014 covering all 34 provinces of Afghanistan. The survey captured information about
beekeeping situation, identification of beekeepers, beekeeping cooperatives, beekeeping
associations, agricultural schools/ institutes, DAIL Offices, number of bee colonies and

1
Source: Second Beekeeping National Conference – Report (May 2016)

20
honey production, marketing, challenges and opportunities, scope of assistance for
sustainable development of beekeeping value chain in different provinces and zones.
• Established a Beekeeping Technical Committee
• Work has been done/ Preliminary work has been initiated for establishment of
Beekeepers’ National Union
• Designed and distributed 23 different brochures and posters among beekeepers and
interested people.
• Kabul International Agricultural Exhibition held on 7 to 9 November 2012 in Badam Bah
State Farm
• Conducted 2 National Level Conferences on Beekeeping (First National Conference on
Beekeeping on 2-4 September 2013 and Second Beekeeping National Conference on 10-12
May 2016)
• Introduced May 12 as the National Honeybee Day to promote Afghan honey among the
people and help honey beekeeping industry on May 12, 2016
A. Communication and Coordination
BDP involves wide range of stakeholders including beekeepers, cooperatives of beekeepers,
academic bodies, research institutes, authorities, media, elected representatives, national
and international NGOs, Ministries among others through communication and coordination.
Various activities are undertaken with regard to needs and role of each stakeholder. Major
activities vis-a-vis specific stakeholders are discussed below:
1. Communication and coordination with beekeeping cooperatives: Regular coordination
and communication with beekeeping cooperatives, beekeeping associations and individual
beekeepers regarding qualitative beekeeping materials and tools procured by the
Beekeeping Development Project. Coordination and communication activities also included
developing action plan of Darulaman Beekeeping Centre in 2012. Translation, preparation of
technical brochures, extension material, policy papers etc., for varied target groups has
been regular feature from Kabul International Agricultural Exhibition in 2012, training
programmes, national conferences on Beekeeping, etc. Coordination meetings with
beekeeping cooperatives and associations across Afghanistan were initiated in 2013 about
establishing beekeeping cooperatives/ associations as well as a beekeeping national union.
Coordinated the efforts for collection of statistical data on bee colonies in all provinces of
Afghanistan in 2013. Besides, coordination efforts also included exhibitions for beekeeping
associations/ cooperatives in 2015 (BDP Annual Reports 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015).
2. Communication and coordination with private sector and other organizations: Regular
coordination and technical assistance with the contracted companies and suppliers of
qualitative beekeeping tools and material to BDP. Coordination with FAO project
(Strengthening the Role of Women in Agriculture Development Project) for supporting
women beekeeping associations in the different provinces of Afghanistan established by

21
FAO. Coordination with the authorities of agriculture and veterinary institutes and
agricultural high schools about arrangement of theoretical and practical beekeeping training
sessions for students. BDP team also coordinated with MP of Badakhshan Province about
beekeeping activities in the province (in 2012), NGOs like COAM for providing beekeeping
tools and materials in Bamyan Province (in 2014), Afghanistan National Nursery Growers
Organization (ANNGO) regarding action plan for pollination of almond trees in Balkh and
Samangan Provinces, Mission East for better collaboration in Badakhshan, Kunduz, Takhar
and Baghlan provinces, Albironi University faculty (in 2015), among others for promotion
and popularising beekeeping activities across the country. There has been regular
coordination with print and electronic media to popularise and build visibility to beekeeping
in Afghanistan. Interaction and interface with media included interviews, press releases and
enlisting participation in conferences, workshops and sharing success stories of beekeeping.
3. Communication and coordination with MAIL Livestock and Animal Health Directorates:
Coordination with MAIL is an important task of the BDP since approval of MAIL is vital for
design aspects of the project, procurement, staffing, monitoring of on-budget projects,
establishment of beekeeping zones, beekeeping national union, research activities involving
collaboration inputs of MAIL staff, collaboration with Department of Animal Health
Laboratory in Darulaman, etc. Relationship between MAIL and BDP is an important aspect of
the project. “MAIL’s cooperation with BDP is very limited, and the MAIL staff is frustrated
with the project” with two teams of MAIL and BDP working in two separate floors of
Darulaman Beekeeping Center (AFD Agriculture Evaluation - Aide Memoire May 2014, page
66). There has been regular coordination with Central Veterinary Diagnostic and Research
Laboratory (CVDRL) regarding bee diseases and symptoms for diagnosis of bee diseases.
Coordination with Livestock Directorate was also made with regard to beekeeping policy
prepared by the Advisor of Livestock Directorate
4. Communication and Coordination with Darulaman Beekeeping Center: Darulaman
Beekeeping Centre (DBC) is a major component of the BDP activities and the center of
research and training. The DBC has been part of the activities like survey, research, training,
extension material, etc. Coordination with the DBC was related to all major activities of the
project including rehabilitation and improvement of the DBC. Coordination with the
livestock directorate, technical staff of Darulaman Beekeeping Center and beekeeping
cooperatives and associations is also made regularly regarding selection of beneficiaries for
training courses of bee pests and diseases, queen rearing, bee package, and pollination.
5. Communication and coordination with MAIL province Directorates: Coordination with
MAIL Province Directorates is also a regular feature since it involves extension and training
activities for the stakeholders in the local level in the provinces.
6. Communication and Coordination with MAIL Infrastructure Directorate for survey, cost
estimation and design for the rehabilitation of Parwan, Balkh, Herat and Kandahar
Beekeeping Centers and construction of new building in Darulaman Beekeeping Center
(Training hall & wax processing room).

22
B. Providing of technical support and assistance to beekeepers
a. Providing of technical advice to beekeepers on queen rearing, spring management,
winterization, advantage of beekeeping on economy of family and how to start beekeeping,
control of mite, using of wax, processing of wax, usage of solar wax melting tools,
standardization, honey crystallization, extraction of honey, multiplication of bee hives,
hygiene of apiary and tools, good method of foundation, microbial diseases, reasons for low
production of honey, damages happen through use of pesticides, establishment of
beekeeping cooperative, beekeeping equipment, usage of formic acid and Apivar for control
of mites, and inspiring feed and winterization.
b. providing technical support to women welfare associations
c.Providing technical assistance to beekeepers: provided block wax, leaflets prepared on
varied aspects of beekeeping, proper use of Formic Acid and Apivar for control of miles in
bee hives.
d. Providing of beekeeping materials, and tools to individual beekeepers (wax, smokers, hive
tools, veils, working clothes, queen excluders, feeders, scratchers, formic acid, Apivar,
brushes
e. Distribution of beekeeping tools and materials to beekeeping cooperatives and
associations
f. Assisting students with relevant literature/ material in Dari Language, and assisting
students for preparing monographs
C. Providing of support and assistance of Darulaman Beekeeping Center
a) Providing of materials, tools and equipment and Rehabilitation work of BDC
affected by explosion. Artificial feed, electronic wax printing machine, formic acid,
standard bee boxes, standard super, bottles, carpentry shop, standard solar wax
melting tools, screen bottom boards for testing of mites, etc were provided to the
center.
b) Providing materials and inputs for distribution to members of beekeepers
cooperatives through the DBC.
c) Involvement of DBC in survey of beekeeping activities in the provinces
d) Providing transportation facilities to the DBC to carry the beehives to other
areas, sugar for artificial feeding of beehives and winterization, drugs for control of
mites on beehives of the centre.
D. Provide support and assistance to MAIL Directorate in the province
a. Provision of technical advice: BDP’s Technical staff travelled regularly to different
provinces, checked the beekeeping apiaries of Ghazni, Paktika, Kandahar, Helmand, Herat,
Laghman, Kumar, Parwan, Balkh, Sar-e-Pul, Faryab Kunduz, Takhar, Baghlan, Panjsher,
Kapisa, Parwan and Kabul DAIL Directorates and advised them for mite control and
management of bee hives during summer fall and winter seasons.

23
b. Rehabilitation of beekeeping centers
c. Providing of materials, tools and equipment to beekeeping centers
d. Establishment and support to agro-climatic zones: established 7 agro-climatic zones (in
Nangarhar, Kapisa, Kandahar, Balkh, Takhar, Kabul and Herat provinces) and supported
beekeeping development activities in several parts of these provinces from there.
E. Providing technical support and assistance to Central Veterinary Diagnostic
and Research Laboratory (CVDRL)
Training of CVDRL staff in sugar test for diagnosis of mite, bottles with mesh in cup for sugar
test diagnosis of Varroa mite on bees
F. Research activities on BDP apiary
A test on wax sheet (for preparing of foundation by bees on it), test on queens (produced by
grafting during queen rearing training course) to study the results of feeding on fertilization,
monitoring of BDP apiary in Darulaman Beekeeping Center.
G. Capacity Building
a. Awareness raising activities through Agriculture Exhibition held by Ministry of Agriculture,
Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL) to build awareness on pollination, maximizing honey
production through early spring management, winterization, queen rearing, wax,
granulation of honey, American foul brood, European foul brood and sugar test.
b. Training programmes for beekeepers and beekeeping staff of MAIL:
Thousands of beekeepers and MAIL staff were trained from time to time through separate
training programmes of 1 to 4 days duration on different aspects of beekeeping (basic and
development activities, bee diseases, bee queen rearing, bee package, bee pollination,
standard bee box and supers, marketing, management and administration of resources and
collecting of beekeeping information, etc). Training programmes were a blend of theoretical
and practical sessions on honey bee diseases (four days each), practical training on diagnosis
of two main diseases (American foulbrood and nosema apis), on bee queen rearing, on bee
package, on bee pollination, training of carpenters on producing of standard lands troth bee
boxes, supers and wax solar milting tools, on marketing (including important and
fundamental issues of marketing, post-harvest management of products, challenges and
suggestions for overcoming of challenges), etc
d. Study tours: Exposure visits were arranged for beekeepers of beekeeping cooperatives
which helped the participants to learn from seeing and interacting with experts of
Darulaman Beekeeping Center.
e. Publications: Brochures and information leaflets are published and disseminated to build
awareness among beekeepers and other stakeholders on issues related to pollination,
method of maximizing honey production through early spring management, winterization,
queen rearing, wax, granulation of honey, American foul brood, European foul brood and

24
sugar test. Educational materials are also prepared and distributed to interested people
during agriculture exhibitions, visitors of Darulaman Beekeeping Center, conferences, and
training programmes in the provinces.
Status and Component wise Achievements of the BDP
About 3,432 individual beekeepers were busy with 31,386 bee colonies at the beginning and
131,671 bee hives by 2014 in Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjsher, Maidan-Wardak, Ghazni,
Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Samangan, Balkh, Nangarhar, Kunar, Noristan, Zabul,
Kandahar, Helmand, Urozgan, Dikondi, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghor, Herat, Badghis and
Farah Provinces. The total annual honey production of these individual beekeepers was
715,783 kg in 2012 and 771,631 kg in 2013.
A comprehensive national survey on beekeeping conducted between September and
November 2014 estimated a total of 6,108 beekeepers (5,554 Male & 554 Female) having
210,081 colonies and their total annual honey production was 1,182,714 kg in 2012 and
1,376,455 kg in 2013.
There were 18 Beekeeping Cooperatives with 1220 members and 10000 hives and many
beekeepers local associations in Afghanistan in 2009 itself. Besides, there were many
organizations involved in beekeeping Programs. PRTs, CIMIC, Agha Khan Foundation,
Mission East, Terre de Hommes, Mothers for Peace, Mercy Corps, DACAAR, EAC, Afghan Aid,
FCOMAIL, CRS, World Vision etc.
Some specific achievements of the BDP include the following:
● 2351 staff of MAIL, beekeepers and carpenters from Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa,
Panjsher, Bamyan, Ghazni, Wardak, Baghlan, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan,
Samangan, Balkh, Faryab, Sar-e-Pol, Jawzjan, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Noristan,
Herat, Ghor, Badghis, Zabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Urozghan, Daykundi, Logar, Paktia,
Paktika and Khost Provinces received theoretical and practical training in beekeeping
development activities.
● 941 students of agriculture faculty, agriculture and veterinary institutes in
Kabul, Kapisa and Balkh provinces received theoretical and practical training in
beekeeping activities.
● 156 beekeepers from Bamyan, Badakhshan and Urozghan Provinces
participated in study tour visits.
● 40 MT pure wax sheets were purchased and distributed to beekeepers.
● 1000 lit formic acid purchased and distributed to beekeepers for control of
mites.
● 2500 pockets of Apivar strips[1] purchased and distributed to beekeepers for
control of mites.
● 6 short term experts were hired and conducted capacity building courses on
bee diseases, honey value chain, queen rearing, pollination and bee package to
beekeepers and MAIL staff.

25
● 4 beekeeping centers were rehabilitated in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kapisa and
Parwan Provinces.
● 5 beekeeping centers are equipped in Kabul, Nangarhar, Kapisa, Parwan and
Kandahar Provinces with carpet and furniture.
● 600 beehives were procured and distributed to 30 DAIL offices Kabul,
Parwan, Kapisa, Panjsher, Bamyan, Ghazni, Wardak, Baghlan, Kunduz, Takhar,
Badakhshan, Samangan, Balkh, Faryab, Sar-e-Pol, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Herat,
Ghor, Badghis, Farah, Kandahar, Helmand, Urozghan, Daykundi, Logar, Paktia,
Paktika and Khost Provinces.
● Around 14960 kg wax, 583 lit formic acid, 832 pocket Apivar, 305 smokers,
337 hive tools, 261 scratchers, 418 veils, 293 overall, 3751 queen excluders, 475
feeders and 56735 empty bottles based on agreement were distributed to 24
beekeeping cooperatives, 5 beekeeping associations and 331 individual beekeepers
from Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjsher, Bamyan, Ghazni, Wardak, Baghlan, Kunduz,
Takhar, Badakhshan, Samangan, Balkh, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Herat, Ghor,
Badghis, Farah, Kandahar, Helmand, Urozghan, Daykundi, Logar, Paktia, Paktika and
Khost Provinces.
● 28 DAIL offices in Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjsher, Bamyan, Ghazni, Wardak,
Baghlan, Kunduz, Takhar, Balkh, Faryab, Sar-e-Pol, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar,
Herat, Ghor, Badghis, Farah, Kandahar, Helmand, Urozghan, Daykundi, Logar, Paktia,
Paktika and Khost Provinces received beekeeping tools and materials like smoker,
hive tool, scratcher, veil, overall, queen excluder, feeder, wax and sugar from BDP.
● 40 m3 timber was procured for preparing standard bee boxes, supers and
solar wax melting tools.
● Two National beekeeping conferences were conducted.
● Beekeeping national survey was conducted in 34 provinces.
● 23 different types of brochures published and distributed to interested
peoples.
● A beekeeping technical committee has been established to improve the
coordination and collaboration among related stakeholders.
● Some work has done for establishment of a beekeeping national union.

[1]http://www.apivar.co.nz

Research studies
Baseline Survey (July - August 2012)
A Baseline Survey of Target Areas was conducted in July - August 2012. Baseline Survey
covered situational analysis of Darulaman Beekeeping Development Center with regard to

26
its goals and objectives, human resources, infrastructure (tools and equipment), laboratory
tools and equipment, services of the center with regard to problem solving of beekeepers,
number of beehives related to the centre and their production, wax processing tools and
equipment, queen rearing tools and equipment , chemicals, needs of the beekeeping center,
repairs and maintenance needs of the center, and SWOT analysis of the center.
(Source: Baseline Survey of Target Areas, July -August 2012)
National Beekeeping Survey (September - November 2014)
In 2014, BDP conducted a comprehensive beekeeping survey in all 34 provinces of
Afghanistan to collect information about beekeeping situation, beekeeping challenges and
opportunities to assist sustainable development of beekeeping value chain in different
provinces and zones.
The objectives of this survey were:
1. To collect information about beekeeping situation;
2. To recognize and collect information about beekeeping constraints and
challenges; and
3. To record information about existing opportunities could be foundation for
the sustainable development of beekeeping value chain in different provinces and
zones.
The survey was focused on collecting information about
● number of direct beneficiaries, number of cooperatives and associations,
number of their bee hives, quantity of production and marketing in 2012 and 2013;
● how many beekeepers and farmers were aware of this important role of bees
in pollination of agricultural crops and contributing to increase food production and
how many were getting benefit of it or implementing it based on their knowledge;
● situation of beekeeping activities in the academic organizations (agriculture
faculty, institutes and schools) of every province; and
● honey specification and value in the markets.
The beekeeping survey covered all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in three months between
September and November 2014.
Key Findings of National beekeeping Survey (Beekeeping Survey Report):
1. There were 9 beekeeping local associations comprising 599 (504 male and 95
female) members having 17352 bee colonies in 2012 and 38023 bee colonies in 2014
in Ghazni, Kunduz, Samangan, Nangarhar, Laghman, Logar, and Herat Provinces. The
total annual honey production of these associations was 271487 kg in 2012 and
331756 kg in 2013.
2. There were 3,432 individual beekeepers having 31,386 bee colonies at the
beginning and 131,671 bee hives in 2014 in Kabul, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjsher, Maidan-
Wardak, Ghazni, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Samangan, Balkh, Nangarhar, Kunar,

27
Noristan, Zabul, Kandahar, Helmand, Urozgan, Dikondi, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Ghor,
Herat, Badghis and Farah Provinces. The total annual honey production of these
individual beekeepers was 715,783 kg in 2012 and 771,631 kg in 2013.
3. The total number of beehives of 6,108 beekeepers (5,554 Males & 554
Females) was 210,081 colonies in 2014 and their total annual honey production was
1,182,714 kg in 2012 and 1,376,455 kg in 2013.
4. Out of 6108 beekeepers 554 beekeepers are women, out of 58 beekeeping
cooperatives 8 cooperatives (in Parwan and Badakhshan Provinces) are related to
women and 3 other cooperatives (in Ghazni, Badakhshan and Laghman Provinces)
and 7 associations (in Ghazni, Samangan, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Herat Provinces)
have both male and female members. Direct involvement of women in beekeeping
was increasing day by day.
5. There were no bees and beekeeping activities in 4 provinces (Jawzjan, Sar-e-
pol, Faryab, and Nimroz provinces).
6. In 26 provinces where beekeeping activities were in vogue, model of bee
hives was Langstroth and in 4 provinces (Bamyan, Kunar, Noristan and Farah) the
model of bee hives are Langstroth and Dadant.
7. All 34 Directorate of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (DAIL) offices have
beekeeping officer or animal husbandry officer. All 34 officers received training
provided by BDP, FCOMAIL, COAM, Mercy Corps, NHLP, AIRP, CNTF, CHA and ASAP.
25 DAIL offices have bee hives of which 20 offices received beehives from BDP and
21 offices have beekeeping tool kits (10 offices received from BDP).
8. There are 24 agriculture faculties and 1 veterinary faculty in Kabul, Parwan,
Kapisa, Bamyan, Ghazni, Baghlan, Kunduz, Takhar, Badakhshan, Balkh, Faryab,
Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar, Paktia, Paktika, Khost, Kandahar, Helmand, Urozgan,
Herat, Badghis and Farah provinces. Out of 25 faculties 3 faculties have beekeeping
tools, 18 faculties are teaching beekeeping in animal husbandry department, 1
faculty in plant protection department and 6 faculties are not teaching it.
9. There are 24 agriculture and veterinary institutes in Afghanistan. Out of 24
institutes 2 institutes have beekeeping tools. Beekeeping is taught as part of general
agriculture subject in 2 institutes, apiculture and silk worm subject in 1 institute, in
animal husbandry subject in 4 institutes, in agronomy subject in 2 institutes, in
horticulture subject in 2 institutes, in veterinary subject in 2 institutes, in biology
subject in 6 institutes, in plant protection subject in 1 institute and 4 institutes are
not teaching it.
10. There are 48 agriculture schools in provinces across Afghanistan. None of
these 48 agriculture schools have beekeeping tools. Out of these agriculture schools
26 schools are teaching beekeeping in general agriculture subject, 3 schools are
teaching in animal husbandry subject, 4 schools are teaching in veterinary subject, 1
schools are teaching plant protection subject and 13 schools are not teaching it.
11. Groceries, honey shops, super markets and bazaars in 34 provinces of
Afghanistan sell honey of different origins like Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Arabic,
Switzerland, Spanish, Turkish, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and America produced from
acacia, oil crops, jujube, clover, salvia, bier, sun flower, fruit trees, medicinal plants,

28
mint, janbekak, mustard, cotton guldaro, date, jasmine, eucalyptus, cucurbitaceae
and natural plants, available in the liquid and solid form, in plastic and glass bottles
and different net weight of 250, 300, 400, 450, 500, 700, 1000 and 2000 grams in
different provinces. Further, the price of honey is highly varying from 120 to 2500
Afghanis for 1 kg in different provinces. Imported honey with better packing, labeling
and low price in the groceries, bazaars and supermarkets is preferred over local
products.
12. Only few beekeepers out of 6108 beekeepers in Balkh province are oriented
technically to use their bee hives for pollination in their orchards or give on rent to
others.
13. Predominant beekeeping products among all beekeepers are just honey and
swarms, the knowledge and skill about producing and handling of other products is
poor or nil.
14. There is no system of quality control and certification in the country.
15. Majority of beekeepers and their related organizations have problems of
honey processing, labeling and packing.
16. The problems of pests and diseases are common for all beekeepers and
beekeeping cooperatives and associations in all provinces.
17. Lack of sustainable accessibility of beekeepers and beekeeping cooperatives
and associations to quality inputs (wax and drugs) is a major concern.
18. All beekeepers and beekeeping cooperatives and associations are facing
several marketing problems.
19. There is no coordination among beekeepers, farmers and plant protection
departments about time and procedure of using different pesticides.
20. Lack of efficient plan for the protection of natural flora and creation of new
plantations.
21. Poor coordination and collaboration between beekeepers, farmers, traders,
security departments, health department, media and other organizations is the
cause of low effectiveness of beekeeping cooperatives and associations.
22. There is no efficient plan and awareness for safe movement of bee colonies
based on the seasonal calendar and potential in several areas.
23. Security measures and checkpoints on road movements in certain areas by
local people, police and insurgents pose problem to beekeepers.
24. There is no factory to supply necessary jars in the country. Most of
beekeepers and their organizations (beekeeping cooperatives and associations) are
using imported plastic or glass bottles contributing to increased cost of production.
Some beekeepers and their organizations were using second hand jars and drums
which is not hygienic.
Constraints and Challenges of Beekeeping in Afghanistan
There are many challenges in the way of reaping full potential of beekeeping in Afghanistan.
The main problems of beekeeping value chain are:

29
a. Diseases: Many honey bee colonies die every year in Afghanistan owing to diseases.
Beekeepers lack skills and understanding to diagnose and prevent diseases. Besides, some
agencies distribute weak colonies to small farmers with very contagious diseases. Many bee
colonies are imported from Pakistan without quality control.
b. Lack of veterinary medicines: Good honey bee veterinary medicine is not available in the
local market. Due to indiscriminate use of medicines the parasites become more resistant.
c. Lack of pure beeswax: Pure beeswax needed to multiply the colonies, has poor supply in
the market. Only paraffin from Pakistan is available in the Afghan market.
d. Coordination: There are many organizations involved in beekeeping with little local and
national coordination between the organizations and MAIL
e. Packaging and Marketing honey: There is no quality control. There are only second hand
empty bottles in the market. Supermarkets do not buy Afghan honey because of poor
packaging. Afghan honey processors are not aware of international standard on labeling.
Challenges and constraints of BDP
Three year project was faced with different constraints and challenges and important
among them relate to the following:
● Poor Coordination among different stakeholders
● Poor quality of inputs in the market
● Existence of pests and diseases
● Marketing problem of product and low income
● Lack of quality control
● Problem on standardization
● Delay in the processing of No Objection Letter (NOL) by AFD
Constraints in hiring staff due ban on hiring imposed by new government since September
2014 Constraints and challenges also include the following:
a. Existing of poor coordination among organizations and working in the target areas.
BDP tried to encourage coordination and collaboration with different NGOs and
organizations their activities directly or indirectly related to pollination, food value chain,
control of pests and diseases, beekeeping development etc.
b. Different pests and diseases affect the beekeeping products in the country. The
beekeepers in some provinces had problem in queen rearing and requested training from
the project on queen rearing. Due to low quality of inputs such as wax and drugs in the local
markets the beekeepers faced lot of problems due to bees’ illness, pests and diseases.
Beekeeping Development Project (BDP) tried to do the following:
● Hired a short term expert to conduct training programmes on bee pests and
diseases for beekeepers and beekeeping staff of MAIL on Queen rearing, Bee
package, Bee products value chain, and Bee pollination

30
● BDP procured qualitative drugs for the control of pests and diseases and
distributed through agreement to beekeeping cooperatives, beekeeping associations
and individual beekeepers.
● Published several brochures and papers and distributed to beekeeping
cooperatives, beekeeping associations and individual beekeepers.
c. The project provided some amount of qualitative wax and drugs to beekeeping
cooperatives and associations, and make solar wax melting tools in carpentry shop of
Darulaman Beekeeping Center.
Progress of the BDP
Year Beekeepers (No.s) Beehives (No.s) Production(In kgs) per annum
2012* 3432 31386 1182719
2014** 6108 210081 1376455
2016*** 6703 222341 1743000

***Second Beekeeping National Conference (May 2016).

31
Chapter - 4
Conclusions
The conclusions chapter consists of the diagnosis aspects of the beekeeping development
project.
Beekeepers
Historical Beekeeping: From the literature review it was found that the traditional
beekeeping with cerana bees has been known in some parts of Afghanistan for centuries.
Before 1940, MAIL had a beekeeping development program with clay pots, and in 1953-
beekeeping was officially included in the framework of MAIL, and 100 hives of bees (Apis
Mellifera) were imported from Italy through the assistance of FAO. Private beekeeping
organizations were established in 1977. Darulaman Beekeeping Center (DBC) started in 1987
had been rehabilitated and supported in the following years with hives, tools, and
equipment to become a center for research and dissemination. Darulaman Beekeeping
Development Centre was built in 1996. From 2012- till now, BDP supported the beekeeping
program through different capacity building sessions, rehabilitation of beekeeping centers,
research experiments, and provision of beekeeping tools and materials.
Beekeeping Development Project: The beginning of beekeeping activities of BDP started in
July 2012. Some of the beekeepers of the sample have started beekeeping even before
2012.
Bees colonies and honey yield: Multiple factors contributed to the growth of honey
production in Afghanistan during past four years. Extension services and access to modern
technology on the one hand and favorable market on the other have been responsible for
increased honey production in the country. Key factors include the growth of bee colonies
(54 %), followed by favorable market (28 %), and adoption of new technology (26%).
Total number of beehives are 11241 belonging to 128 beekeepers. On an average each
beekeeper has 87 beehives. Honey per hive production is about 7.5 kgs. Honey produced by
each beekeeper is about 663 kgs.
The price of honey per kg Minimum price is AFN 396 and Maximum Price is 548. Therefore
the price that each beekeeper would get from selling the honey per annum on an average is
Minimum is AFN 262548 and Maximum is AFN 363324.
Membership in cooperative/ Associations: Less than half of the beekeepers are part of
collective efforts like cooperatives or associations. The Membership of beekeepers in
collective functioning is low due to varied reasons like a low number of members,
beekeepers being spatially scattered, or lack of awareness. There is need to motivate and
strengthen the associations and cooperatives across the provinces so that they can access
better information, materials and other forms of assistance to improve processing activity
and market their product.

32
Majority of the beekeepers are members in the following provinces: Herat, Bamyan,
Nangarhar, Laghman, Logar, Kandahar and Takhar.
Distribution of men and women in cooperatives and associations is also another matter of
concern. Enrollment of women beekeepers into cooperatives or associations is low.
Number of hives and honey Production: The number of beehives per person increased
from 2012 to 2016. The yield of honey from the beehives has also increased over the years
with the increase in the number of beehives per beekeeper. However, the average yield of
honey per hive is not uniform, over the annual production (years). The yield was good in
2013 and 2014, but in the year 2015 and 2016, the yield was low.
In the study areas the number of hives per person is as such: The beehives are very high in
Laghman (170), Paktia (158), Maidan Wardak (136), Kapisa (108) and Nangarhar (100).
These are also the traditional areas of beekeeping. Honey production per person in
kilograms is very high in the following provinces: Paktia (1589), Kapisa (1479) and Maidan
Wardak (1407). For rest of the provinces see details above. Honey production per hive in
kilograms is high in Bamyan (21), Kapisa (12), Maidan Wardak (10) and Paktia (9). The
average production per hive is about 7 kilograms.
Source of livelihoods - BeeKeeping activities: Beekeeping is a major source of livelihood not
only for the beekeeper but also for others who are employed by the beekeepers. Almost
half of the beekeepers (49%) engaged their family members in harvesting, extraction and
other works. About 52% of the beekeepers have engaged workers and other beekeepers.
Access to Equipment and inputs: The beekeepers are purchasing the equipment required
for beekeeping enterprise from the nearest market. The majority of them are buying from
the nearby major district markets such as Gardez, Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar and Herat,
Kapisa, Nangarhar, and Takhar (54 percent). Beekeepers in provinces close to the border of
Pakistan are purchasing the equipment from Peshawar (24 percent). Some of them (22
percent) are buying medicine for bees and wax sheets, and especially the subsidized
equipment from the BDP.
Installation of wax processing line: Most of beekeepers were facing problems of wax
recycling and printing in Afghanistan and some of them go to Pakistan with a lot of difficulty
and expenses for processing and printing of wax. BDP has taken initiatives for installation of
wax processing line between June 2013 and November 2015. The Beekeeping Development
Project, procured a wax printing line (with the capacity of printing 100 kg wax sheets/day)
and installed in Darulaman Beekeeping Center to help beekeepers overcome this problem.
Purchase of Medicine: BDP bought medicines and provided to the beekeepers, such as:
Apivar (Impregnated strips, amitraz), Sulphur Powder, Formic Acid (Liquid, 65%), Fluvalinate,
Tetracycline, Thymovar and (Impregnated crystal wafers, Thymol).
Sugar for motivation feeding: Sugar is used as bee motivation feeding. Sugar is purchased
from the nearest local market of the respective places as sugar is available everywhere. The
price of sugar per kilogram on an average is 50 AFN. The average quantity of sugar required
per hive in a year is nine kgs, amounting to approximately 450 AFN per hive.

33
Jars for packaging Honey: The packaging of honey is critical to marketing in competition to
the imported brands. Beekeepers prefer glass jars over plastic jars, but they are not
available in the market as per the demand, and also they are more expensive than the
plastic jars. For packaging of honey, 25% of the beekeepers prefer glass jars over plastic jars.
There is a requirement to provide half kg and one kg glass jars as both are preferred.
Beehives sources and costs: Beehive includes wooden beehive box and bee colony.
Beehives are usually procured mainly from the following sources: prepared by the
beekeepers, purchased from the market, provided by the government, and provided by
NGOs. The beekeepers are buying one beehive at the rate of 4000 AFN to as high as 6000
AFN. However, in Kandahar province beehives are purchased at 3000 AFN.
Advantages of Langstroth model beehive: The beehives adopted by beekeepers in
Afghanistan are mainly of the type Langstroth. These are suitable for Afghanistan and being
in use for varied reasons. BDP conducted three practical training programmes at Darulaman
Beekeeping Centre to capacitate carpenters from Takhar, Badakhshan and Urozgan to
facilitate the standardization of beekeeping tools in the provinces.
Measures to attract new beekeepers or aspirants: Awareness, training programmes and
financial assistance in the form of subsidy and loans are required to attract people to
engage in beekeeping enterprises. Promoting beekeeping enterprises requires attention to
effective measures and policy to attract new members on the one hand and also motivating
the existing beekeepers to become part of the cooperatives and associations.
Access to Credit: Lack of access to the credit is one the reasons for many people not being
able to adopt beekeeping. Several factors are responsible for the lack of access to credit.
Reasons include presence of very few formal credit lending institutes (41%); lack of credit
agents for collection and lending (37%); lack of viability for the agents to cover far and wide
areas to collect the debt(20%); and the Islamic credit system which considers it Haram to
collect interest (2%).
Beekeeping equipment and protective materials availability: Beekeeping requires at least
twenty tools, the price ranging from barely 40 AFN to 10,000 AFN each. Some have options
for low-cost and high-cost substitutes. While knife, veil, bee brush, chisel, gloves, uncapping,
queen catcher, and scratcher cost up to 100 AFN each. Highly expensive tools are Langstroth
bee box (up to 1500 AFN), strainer (2000 to 4000 AFN), and extractor (6000 to 10,000 AFN)
and only some of them have substitutes of lower cost.
Learning beekeeping and sources of advice: The beekeepers avail advice from different
sources to address or resolve routine problems of beekeeping. Friends and groups in the
neighborhood are their chief source for advice. Friends as a source of advice constitute for
half of the respondents (50 %), followed by associations or cooperatives for 19 %
respondents. The advice of Experts and NGOs is sought by one-fourth of respondents.
Experts constitute 15 % followed by NGOs for 11 % respondents respectively. The advice of
MAIL/ BDP staff is also sought by 5 % of the respondents.

34
Training on Beekeeping matters: About 50% of the beekeepers have attended trainings. Of
those who attended the training, each beekeeper on an average received 12 days of
training. Beekeeping training is mainly on three thematic areas they are on diseases, Queen
breeding, and Quality of honey production.
Support from MAIL / BDP office of District or Province: Among the surveyed beekeepers
only some have received support from BDP/MAIL (9%). Beekeepers have been provided
support in aspects related to Financial, Equipment, Wax/pesticides, Training, etc.
Breed of honeybees adopted: The imported European honeybee (Apis mellifera)2
and two
Indigenous species (Apis cerana and Apis dorsata) are the main species of honey bees found
in Afghanistan. But all the beekeepers have adopted Italian breed (Apis mellifera) of honey
bees. That's the breed across all provinces among the respondents.
Beekeeping - products: Potential of beekeeping is not fully tapped in Afghanistan. Although
there are several products possible to make beekeeping an attractive economic enterprise,
only honey, artificial swarming and crude beeswax are in vogue in Afghanistan.
Bee colonies management: While harvesting honey only about one third of beekeepers
(38%) remove all honey combs. Many people harvest honey from the brood comb.
Crude beeswax: There is no awareness among the beekeepers on the crude beeswax, and
they do not collect beeswax. In Nangarhar the highest annual beeswax production is 230
Grams/hive. The price of crude beeswax varies significantly between provinces from 210 to
433 AFN per kg. The reasons for not collecting or producing beeswax are lack of processing
skills, lack of knowledge and lack of market. Similarly propolis is not collected by beekeepers
mainly due to lack of market and lack of knowledge.
Artificial swarms: About 85% of respondents are making artificial swarms.
Queen breeding: Only 20% of the respondent knew techniques of queen breeding.
Supers and excluders: Majority of the beekeepers are using supers, queen excluders.
Feeders: Only 11% of beekeepers were not using feeders.
Water source for honey bees: Streams constitute major source of water for honeybees
followed by rivers.
Winter loss of bees: In average 22% of bees colonies of respondents are winter loss during
the winter season. The province wise loss of beehives in percentage is presented below.
The provinces with very low loss are: Paktia (16), Takhar (16), Nangarhar and Maidan
Wardak (18). These are the very good locations geographically for promotion of the
beekeeping.

2
http://afghanag.ucdavis.edu/c_livestock/bees/IS_Bees_Afghanistan.pdf

35
Price of honey: On an average the minimum price per kg of honey is AFN 396 and maximum
price per kg is AFN 548. Honey produced in Panjsher has the highest price while that from
Nangarhar has low price.
Sale of honey: Beekeepers sell the honey in different markets depending on suitability.
While 40 % of the beekeepers sell in the village market, the remaining sell in Province
market (30%) and District market (30%).
Buyers of Honey: Buyers of honey include individuals, shops, groceries and supermarkets.
Individual buyers are the single largest category and constitutes 36 % of total buyers. Shops
and groceries constitute half of the buyers. Super markets constitute 15 % of the buyers.
Geographic location on Labels for the product: Some of the buyers also give importance to
geographic location of honey. One fourth of beekeepers use geographic origin on the labels
on honey bottles.
Artificial swarms: About 50% of the beekeepers sell artificial swarms. The average price per
swarm is 4280 AFN.
Hiring of bee hives for pollination: Beekeeping plays an important role in pollination and in
improving the crop yield. However, only 3 % beekeepers reported of hiring bee hives for
pollination.
Bees colonies absconding: The beekeepers said that they had experienced the incidence of
bee colonies absconding. The diseases and drought are the major reasons for bees
absconding. The frequency of occurrence of drought is once in four years.
Diseases observed:
Adult bees and the broods are affected by the diseases by other predatory insects. Adults
are mostly affected by wasps (43%), American foulbrood (17%), Noxzema (14%) and Kana
(mites) (11%). The brood bees are affected mostly by Chalkbrood (27%), Kana (mites)
(20%)and American Foulbrood (20%).
Straining honey: Cloth and sieves are used by 80% of the beekeepers for straining honey.
Honey extractor and Honey Presser are used by 15% and 1 % respectively. For straining the
honey mainly Cloth (47%), Sieve (37%) are used. While a small section of beekeepers (15%)
use honey extractor, only one percent of the beekeepers are using Honey Presser.
Storing Honey: Honey having an indefinite shelf life is a great favourable factor for the
beekeepers. Beekeepers who can afford to store till the price is high have better earnings.
The majority of beekeepers (74%) store honey from one month to a year. About one-third
(29%) beekeepers store from seven months to a year, while 8% store from one to two years.
Some beekeepers don't store and sell within no time from harvest. They constitute 19% of
the beekeepers.
Factors that govern the price of the honey: Price of honey fluctuates based on the quality
and seasonal demand. Color and taste of the honey help in fetching a higher price. Demand
for honey is high during festivals and traditional ceremonies. Honey price is better during

36
such seasons in a year. While 51 % of the respondents reported festivals and traditional
celebrations such as Ramadan and Nawroz as important factors influencing the price of
honey. According to the 43% beekeepers covered in the survey, the quality of honey
determines the good price. Only 6% of the beekeepers reported distance from the market
also as a factor which determines the price of honey.
Price of honey in the local market: The price of honey in local markets is favorable and
satisfactory to 95 % of the beekeepers. While 69 % of them reported that the price in local
markets as medium, more than one-fourth (26%) reported that the price of honey is high.
Beekeepers selling in bigger markets located nearby get a relatively higher price for honey.
Future price and demand for honey: The price of honey is not uniform. The price trend of
honey in the local market is stable or increasing in most of the localities. While a declining
trend is reported by only 8 % of the beekeepers, 44 % reported a trend of increasing price as
compared to 49% respondents. Regarding the demand for honey, the respondents said that
there is a 38% high demand and 48% medium demand for honey in the market.
Labor requirements for honeybee production: Beekeeping involves about 14 activities.
Each one is about one to two hours. These activities cost about approximately 37 AFN to 76
AFN per hour. Hive inspection, transferring, harvesting, migrate bee colonies and sale of bee
products take about two hours for each activity and cost from 37 to 45 AFN per hour.
Watering, hive plastering, hive construction, smoking, feeding, spraying, swarm control,
apiary cleaning, and processing of products take an hour each. While watering, hive
plastering, hive construction cost between 40 and 49 AFN, other activities like smoking,
feeding, spraying, swarm control, apiary cleaning, processing of products cost between 54
and 76 AFN for each activity.
Marketing problems faced by beekeepers: Beekeepers face various problems in marketing
their products. Problems include lack of proper labeling/ professional labeling of the
product, lack of glass bottles and high-quality plastic bottles for filling the honey and
marketing. The beekeepers also require training in marketing the honey. They also need soft
skills for effective marketing of their produce.
Gender in beekeeping
Women play significant role in beekeeping as beekeepers or assisting the men in varied
activities. Women beekeepers, although smaller in number compared to men in
Afghanistan, have demonstrated immense abilities in as effective beekeeping management.
They are also part of the cooperatives and active members in decision making processes.
Women beekeepers have been, in several respects, efficient in beekeeping management
with higher honey production and better marketing skills fetching higher price than their
counterparts.
Gender data specially collected from Herat and Bamyan provinces provides evidence to
their impressive participation in decision making process of price and sale of honey as well

37
use of the incomes from the activity, indicates the role beekeeping incomes on the other
hand in promoting gender empowerment.
The data reveals significant potential and strength exercised by women beekeepers and the
potential to promote beekeeping activity in Afghanistan to accelerate women
empowerment through promotion of beekeeping.
All women beekeepers are members of cooperatives and associations since 2014 onwards in
Bamyan and from 2010 onwards in Herat and majority of women beekeepers have joined
the cooperatives/ associations in year 2011.
Women beekeepers are also active in functioning of the cooperatives/ associations and
have attended more meetings of the cooperatives compared to men in Bamyan.
Number of hives and honey production by beekeepers as well as access to credit and other
aspects of bee management vary with gender and provinces. Women have on an average 6
hives in Bamyan and 33 in Herath which is same as the hives per male beekeeper in Bamyan
and less in Herath.
Women in general have higher honey production compared to their counterparts. It is 23 kg
per beehive on an average compared to 15 kgs by men beekeepers in Bamyan, indicating
that women are relatively more efficient in beekeeping.
The price of honey sold by women in both provinces is higher than honey sold by men.
Marketing strategy and skills of women are better compared to that of men. On an average
women of Herat are getting very good price ranging between 750 AFN and 915 AFN per kg
of honey. The women sell honey mostly at home or local market while men sell in major
markets.
Decisions regarding price and sale of honey are usually made collectively by both men and
women. However, in cases where these decisions are made exclusively by one of them, it is
found that more women make independent decisions than men in both provinces. One third
of women beekeepers (30 %) in Bamyan and Herat independently make decisions, while
only 10% men make decisions independently in Bamyan.
Participation of women in price negotiation is high in Bamyan (40 % women beekeepers)
compared to Herat (30%). Women also have a say in use of the incomes generated from
beekeeping. Around 20% of women beekeepers use the income in Bamyan while it is 10%
in Herat.
Study clearly indicates the sales strategy adopted by women is more effective and fetches
high price for honey. About 30% of women beekeepers in Herat to 40% in Bamyan do
marketing of the product independently. Similarly about 10 % women in Bamyan and 30%
women in Herat play key role in beekeeping by taking decisions regarding equipment, inputs
and medicines. While 80% of the women beekeepers availed credit in Bamyan, it is merely
10% in Herat province.

Beekeeping Development Project Economic Analysis

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