Winrock International - Project Fact sheet: Armenian Beekeeping Enterprise Development

Project Title:
Armenian Beekeeping Enterprise Development - RAISE IQC

Project Website - n/a

Program Group:
Enterprise & Agriculture

Country:
Armenia

Project Length:
2004 - 2006

Funding:
USAID

Helping Armenian Beekeepers Market Their Honey

A study in 2001 showed great potential for the beekeeping industry in Armenia. Production was hampered, though, by disease problems, improper hive management, and lack of facilities to produce queen bees. A USAID-funded training program helped with these issues, as beekeepers learned better techniques, queen bees were brought from the United States, and beekeepers' associations were formed. At present, Armenian beekeepers need continued training to improve the quality of their honey. A lack of coordinated marketing makes it nearly impossible to respond to export markets, because the volume required by potential buyers is seldom available from any individual producer. Also, quality standards for Armenian honey do not match those of honey in the U.S. and the European Union.

Ongoing training of beekeepers and coordination among the different beekeepers' unions, as well as in-country production of queens and the adoption of quality standards, would allow continued growth of the industry. Armenian beekeepers need to learn better integrated pest management techniques, and the genetic quality of Armenian bees needs to be strengthened. Goals include creation of a positive image for Armenian beekeeping; creation of a system for honey quality control; promotion of Armenian honey in export markets; creation of a national inspection service for disease control; and establishment of a unified voice for the Armenian beekeeping industry.

This project will provide an expert consultant to review Armenian honey quality standards and point out noncompliance with U.S. and E.U. standards. It will develop a national queen bee breeding program; work with the beekeeping union management to develop short-, mid- and long-term strategies; and provide technical assistance in honey processing, packaging, and product presentation. The consultant will lead an educational trip to Georgia to observe a successful queen bee breeding program, and will organize a wrap-up seminar in Yerevan to present findings and share experience gained.

Accomplishments will be reported as the project progresses.