Tomatoes

Progress on the Kiaregi bees’ project

Currently the bees are in 15 hives and the other 15 are still in the store, yet to be transferred to the newly constructed apiary. Nonetheless there are reasons resulting to the delayed transfer which include: Bees multiplication and desire for a durable apiary.

Bees’ multiplication

Bees are currently multiplying, a process that is a determinant to the time to transfer the bee hives.  Even after the transfer some time is expected to erase for the hives to have enough bees. The table shows the number of days spent as an egg, a larva and as a pupa plus the number of days taken to reach full maturity for all 3 classes of honey bee.

 

Number of Days

 

Egg

Larva

Pupa

Total Days to Adult

Days to Maturity

Queen

3

5

8

16

20

Worker

3

5

13

21

21

Drone

3

8

13

24

34

 

Desire for a durable apiary

The falling off of the loaded beehives has led to the need for a firm apiary. Most of the beehives have been falling off after rains. Another reason that leads to the falling off is the weight resulting from the honey manufacturing process by bees. According to the group, one of the objectives of the project was to serve as a training centre to the members of the society. Falling apiary may provide a good illustration to the society. As a result the group has constructed a more sustainable apiary.

The initial apiary constructed holding beehives

 

The newly constructed sustainable apiary

The apiary has two parts; the upper part and the lower part. Each of the parts will hold ten beehives. The beehives are placed in an alternating format to ensure that the apiary is stable. The apiary will also have a fence around to protect the bees from interruption. Bees eat nectar and pollen grains to produce honey. Flowers will be planted inside the apiary to satisfy the bees with nectar and pollen. A water source will also be set up to ensure the bees have unlimited access to water.

 

Figure showing the two parts of the apiary

To reinforce the apiary all the posts are to be cemented, with sand and cement concrete.

 

Figure showing the whole area expected to be covered by the apiary. It also displays one beehive on the upper part. The planted cuttings show the boundaries of the apiary leaving an allowance for the flower section.

Purchases

Honey Extractor

The process of harvesting honey is a bit time consuming and tedious. With the rise of new technology the group has purchased an extractor. The extractor will facilitate efficient and easy harvesting of the honey. It will also lead to reduced costs of harvesting one especially for the labor costs that would have been incurred during the process. The extractor only needs one operator. In addition, the extractor may be modified to use a motor. The group expects to produce honey in large scale which could be achieved by using electricity.

 

 

The figure above shows a complete set of a honey extractor.

Beehives

The group has purchased 20 beehives where five beehives have been transferred to the wooden apiary; fifteen of the beehives are still in the store. They have scheduled to transfer the hives sometime later after harvesting the honey which is scheduled on the 25th of April.

 

Honey harvesting

Ten beehives are packed with honey requiring harvesting of the honey.  Harvesting has been scheduled to take place on 25th of April. After harvesting the bees are expected to relocate to the new hives.

Challenges

Budget deficit

The forecasted budget exceeded the actual expenditure leading to additional contribution by the group members. The breakdown on the use of funds will be availed once the construction of the apiary is over. The budget had been done with respect to a wood apiary which was less expensive.  After conducting a cost benefit analysis the wood apiary is more expensive due to the high maintenance costs. The project therefore decided to use the more expensive metal apiary which is durable and would service the project for longer periods in the future. As guideline to other similar projects the group recommends the quotation should be slightly higher.

The expected look of the apiary

 

The goal of the project is to construct a durable apiary, although this apiary is wooden and yet to be roofed.
Conclusion

Assuming all other factors remain constant, the strategies put up will help attain large scale supply of honey by the group. Use of honey an extractor to harvest honey will ensure the honey produced bears high quality. It will also lead to an increase in quantity minimizing the losses arising due to human inefficiencies. This will increase supply meeting the escalating honey demand in the market.