Concerns Over Beekeeper Numbers and Honey Production
American Foulbrood (AFB) in beehives is noticed in some Provinces of South Africa. As beekeepers’ figures are far below the number required to produce honey for the population, this could become a serious threat to the existing beekeepers.
Agricultural Research Council’s Initiative
The Agricultural Research Council is collecting honey and pollen samples all over South Africa. The purpose of the survey is to sensitize beekeepers about the dangers of American Foulbrood (AFB) in beehives. The research team uses PCR methods in the laboratory to test for AFB as well as for other bacteria that could be used to control AFB biologically. The survey team consists of Lesiba Ledwaba, Thabang Nkgau, Elize Lundall-Magnuson, Teresa Goszczynska and Sam Mathibe. The survey took the team to the Eastern Cape and the Northwest Province in March 2022.
Eastern Cape Honey Competition
The team visited and interacted with beekeepers from all over the Eastern Cape who came together in OR Tambo for a honey competition. Beekeepers from the Eastern Cape and from all over South Africa sent their golden goodness to this first regional competition for judging. The judges consisted of master judges from the Honey Judges’ Guild of South Africa.
One of the beekeepers who entered her honey for the first time got a 100% score. This was a great achievement – it is not easy for an entry to get such high marks. Her product, as well as the honey from other beekeepers who supplied samples, will be tested in the laboratory at the Agricultural Research Council, Plant Health and Protection, Roodeplaat in Pretoria, GP
Collaboration in the Northwest Province
The next stop for the survey team was the Northwest Province. The ARC collaborated with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to visit beekeepers in the province and to collect samples from them. The programme is also sponsored by the National Research Foundation. The extension services of the NWP have got three dedicated agricultural advisors that are very active in beekeeping.