Bees for Development

Bees for Development is an independent organisation founded in 1993, achieving charitable status in 1999. Bees for Development helps beekeepers to do more and better beekeeping, in order to build sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families - and conserve biodiversity. In addition to project work in Africa and Asia, we run an extensive information service working at the heart of an international network of people and organisations involved with apiculture in developing countries.

Why is there a need for Bees for Development?

We take a global view of beekeeping, especially that carried out by poor and marginalised beekeepers in developing countries. This means we have unique insights into the trends and challenges of this neglected sector and can provide the hub of a valuable sharing and learning network for the beekeeping community.

There are other NGOs who support beekeeping but these NGOs regularly come to us for advice and information, as often beekeeping is a secondary activity for them. National governments in some countries have beekeeping institutions and extension services but gradually these are being closed and eroded through under funding. Beekeeping is difficult to categorise, unlike mainstream agriculture, and is often overlooked as a marginal poor-persons activity not worthy of investment and attention. This is the main impetus for the work of Bees for Development.

Bees for Development is run by experienced professionals operating out of offices in Monmouth, South Wales, UK.