SNV participates in APIMONDIA congress 2017

Representatives from SNV Ethiopia participated in 45th APIMONDIA International Apicultural Congress. APIMONDIA, an International Federation of Beekeepers’ Associations established in 1890, conducted its 45th Congress from 29 September to 4 October 2017 in Istanbul.

APIMONDIA International Apicultural Congress globally promotes scientific, ecological, social and economic apicultural development, and the beekeeping sector. The event includes conference, roundtable discussions, exhibitions, technical tours and poster presentations etc.

Around 14,000 represntatives from 170 countries participated in the congress. Ethiopia, which used to take part at individual level until 2009, has sent 19 delegates drown from government, sectoral associations, research centres, private sectors and non-governmental organisations. Worku Behonegne, Country Director, SNV Ethiopia, participated on behalf of SNV, to highlight the importance of supports for the sector development in general and holistic support SNV provides to Ethiopia’s apiculture sector through the ASPIRE project.

“This event created a very good learning opportunity for all of us. Personally, I have got the chance to see the level the apiculture technology development has reached” Negash Bekena, General Manager, Ethiopian Apiculture Board.

In the roundtable discussion, Continents Speaking, the African session focused on issues related to the role of government and the private sector for the apiculture sector development has received a lot of attention. In the group discussion, participants focused on key problems affecting the African apiculture sector and identified areas for further apiculture sector development.

Participants have raised their concerns on beekeeping skill limitation particularly on how to transform it into industrial level, bee health, quality particularly adulteration issues and access to data. At Ethiopia level, sector actors particularly EAB will focus on strengthening branding of the Ethiopian honey, encouraging product diversification of bee products and improving access to beekeeping inputs such as beehive, equipment, etc.

Since 1897, Apimondia Congress is organised every other year where the organiser or hosting country for each year is selected by bid and vote of the general assembly members.

Ethiopian Apiculture Board takes the lead in coordinating the process and facilitating knowledge shopping on policy, scientific findings and technology, and market linkage while promoting the Ethiopian beekeeping potential. This year the team has also became successful in promoting Apimondia Symposium Ethiopia which will be conducted in 2018 in which a ground work will be done to bid for hosting Apimondia Congress in 2023.