IMPROVING THE TRADITIONAL BEE FARMERS PRACTICES USING APTHERAPY AS AN EXTENSION APPROACH (A CASE STUDY OF ZARIA AREA OF KADUNA STATE IN NIGERIA)

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1 IMPROVING THE TRADITIONAL BEE FARMERS PRACTICES USING APTHERAPY AS AN EXTENSION APPROACH (A CASE STUDY OF ZARIA AREA OF KADUNA STATE IN NIGERIA) Alhaji Idris M.B. Zaria Apiculture Extensionist / Apitherapist & coordinator Biye Beekeepers Society. Zaria Nigeria. P O Box 577 Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria - Idrisbee@yahoo.com INTRODUCTION The most important tool in rural development is a technically viable and effective extension system. In Nigeria, there is the need for rapid rural development strategies in which agricultural extension is an essential component. Agricultural Extension, as defined by the food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is informal out of school education service for training and influencing farmers and their families to adopt profitable improved technologies in crops and livestock production, management, conservation and marketing. In this paper, I would like to define agricultural extension (in relation to apiculture) as the channel for improving the rural communities for better health and wealth. If extension is to perform its most useful role, it must have an effective and viable programme for farmers to be encouraged in the use and adoption of improved technology. Concern is not only in reaching and securing adoption of particular practice but with changing the social, economic and health status of the farmers to a point where they will be receptive on their own initiative continuously to seek for means of improving their farm business and families. Zaria (1984) stated that extension is based on the principles of helping people to help themselves. In this regard, extension does not give the people anything except itself to provide knowledge, skills and confidence that makes it possible for the people to achieve progress. To this end, the role of extension can be summarized as follows: As an education input. As a channel for communication. As a rural vacuum filler. As a teacher in training farmers for decision making. As a stimulator in stimulating positive group action for agricultural activities. With these roles and concepts, extent ion is therefore concerned with: Dissemination of useful practical informations related to agriculture and home management. Practical application of such knowledge and skills to help farmers to analyse their problems and bring about improvement in solving them. Helping as a vacuum filler to provide services that are not already being provided by someone else. BACKGROUND OF AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION IN NIGERIA Rudimental Agricultural Extension Service in Nigeria started in about Before 1993 extension was based on experimental products for export crop (wudil 1980) extension by then was mainly visitations and inspection of farms and villages by agricultural extension workers to advise farmers on export crops production and management in addition to the primary concern of imposing and enforcing government policies. These efforts were made purely to serve the interest of colonial masters who were hungry for raw materials to feed their industries at home. In 1900 and 1912 a department of agriculture was created in the South and North respectively (Williams 1978). After independence (1960) more people were trained. The American International Development (AID) programme also came in and helped to organise extension programmes. In pursuing extension efforts the government introduced agencies and programmes such as the Agricultural Development Programmes (ADP), Livestock production Development projects etc. These agencies are all involved in extension in consolidated areas of operation. Proceedings of the 37 th International Apicultural Congress, 28 October 1 November 2001, Durban, South Africa APIMONDIA 2001 To be referenced as: Proc. 37 th Int. Apic. Congr., 28 Oct 1 Nov 2001, Durban, South Africa ISBN: Produced by: Document Transformation Technologies Organised by: Conference Planners

2 Despite all these extension is being faced with crises such as inadequate supply of raw materials, lack of inputs at affordable prices for farmers. The primary causes for the unsatisfactory performance can be attributed to: 1. In adequate financial and manpower investments into extension programmes 2. Lack of continuity in programme establishment 3. Insufficient relationship and coordination among various bodies involved in extension. 4. Lack of dedication and discipline in extension staff 5. Lack of incentives to both extension workers and farmers. BEE KEEPING EXTENSION As early as 1966, the first indigenous apiculturist (extension worker) was trained in the United Kingdom. In the early 1980 s about one hundred (100) agricultural extension workers were trained in apiculture as part of their National Diploma qualifications also in 99/2000 some scores of extension officers of local government councils have attended workshops in beekeeping technology transfer. Despite all these no impact in bee keeping development has been made on the traditional bee farmers. The primary causes for these failure can be attributed to: 1. Lack of dedication on the part of the extension workers. 2. Lack of incentives to both extension workers and farmers. 3. Trainings are attended only for the money (allowance) not for the knowledge. 4. Government policies are not geared towards improving beekeeping industries. 5. Apart from honey, farmers do not know of the existence and importance of other bee byproducts for their use. APITHERAPY AS AN EXTENSION APPROACH FOR BEE KEEPING DEVELOPMENT The average Nigerian, so much believes in his religion and culture. In both the Quran and Bible, honey bees / honey are mentioned. Quran 16:68x69, Bible Judges 14:8-9& Ezekiel 16:13). This two main (Nigeria religious emphasize the use of honey, other bee by-products and other ingredients (herbs) for medicinal purposes. For this reasons, the Biye Beekeepers Society in its efforts (to improve bee keeping as a community based project) takes to using apitherapy as an extension approach. About 90% of the rural populace suffer one form of disease or the other, most of them simple to treat using apitherapy and its principles. But ignorance on the importance and uses of the bee by-products on the part of the traditional bee farmer makes him not to improve on his bee keeping practices. High blood pressure, stomach ulcers, skin infections, respiratory track infections, eye problems, etc are some of the diseases affecting the populace. The types of water we drink, the air we breath, the food we eat and most importantly poverty are all sources of our illness. Recent research have shown therapeutic effects of bee by-products in the prevention and treatment of human as well as livestock diseases. Its therefore the aim of this paper to highlight the bee by-product and their uses and some application for disease treatment in relation to adoption diffusion of bee keeping technology transfer. WHAT IS APITHERAPY? Apitherapy is the application of bee by-products for the prevention and treatment of human livestock diseases. What are the bee by-products and their compositions.

3 S/no Bee By-products Composition 1 Honey Water 17%, D-fructose (laevulose) 38% D-Glucose (dextrose) 32%, sucrose 1.3%, maltose 7.3%, Higher sugars 1.5, protein 0.3, minerals.2%, vitamins, Amino acids, 1.0% etc. 2 Royal Jelly Is most complex & nutritious food, consist of vitamins A,C,D&E, it s a high source of B complex, has 20 Amino acids etc. 3 Bee Pollen Contains approximately 25% protein plus at least 18 amino acids, more than a dozen vitamins, 28 minerals, 11 enzymes or, co enzymes, 14 beneficial fatty acids, 11 carbohydrates, Rich in hormones and low in calories. 4 Beeswax Contains 16% hydrocarbons, Alcohols 31%, Acids 31, Diols 3%, Hydroxy acids 13% others 6%. 5. Bee Brood Contains 3.7%fats, 15.4% protein, vitamins A&D and has good nutritional value. 5 Propolis Contains approximately 55% resinous compounds, 30% beeswax, 10% aromatic oils, 5% bee pollen, other flavonoids, amino acids, B vitamins & antibiotic supplements. 6 Bee Venon Contains enzymes, e.g phospholipase A2, peptides & non peptides e.g. histamine free amino acids. SIMPLE APITHERAPY FORMULATIONS USED AS EXTENSION APPROACH FOR BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT No Disease Ingredients Prescription 1 Skin infections Bees wax Groundnut oil Melt bees wax and add groundnut oil (1:2) allow to cool. Apply on affected area 1 2 times daily. 2 Eye/Ear infections Honey Use 1 2 drops when going to bed. 3 Wounds / sores Honey Wash affected area and apply honey 4 High blood pressure/mild diabetes Honey1 tumbler Garlic 30 cloves Lemon, Bee pollen 5 Unknown Honey Garlic Bee pollen Propolis Crush 30 cloves of Garlic and add 1 tumbler of honey and bee pollen allow 72 hrs and filter. Take 2 tablespoons full into 1 tumbler of warm of warm water morning and evening. Add 5mls of lemon juice into the mixture Quantity depends on individual and intensity of infection

4 CONCLUSION The prescriptions are simple to formulate using locally available ingredients. Their availability and simplicity in preparation coupled with there efficacy serve as incentive for the bee farmers in adopting bee keeping techniques for higher quality and quantity of their bee by-products, thereby leading to increased health and income. REFERENCES 1. Biye Beekeepers Society (2000) study on impact of Biye Beekeepers Society to the development of Bee keeping as a community based project. 2. Bible Judges 14 : 18 9, Ezekiel 16: Dr. Stafen S (2000) member American Apitherapy society. Papers presented in International seminars on apitherapy website. 4. FAO, (1965) Agricultural Development in Nigeria Quran Surah 16:68 & Williams, S.K.T. (1978) source of information on improved farming practices in some selected areas of western Nigeria. Bulletin of rural economics and sociology 4(1) University of Ibadan Nigeria. 7. Zaria M.B. (1984) An evaluation of the National Accelerated food production programme (NAFPP) strategy for increased sorghum production in the Zaria Local Government Area, Kaduna State. M.Sc thesis ABU Zaria.

5 IMPROVING THE TRADITIONAL BEE FARMERS PRACTICES USING APTHERAPY AS AN EXTENSION APPROACH (A CASE STUDY OF ZARIA AREA OF KADUNA STATE IN NIGERIA) Alhaji Idris M.B. Zaria Apiculture Extensionist / Apitherapist & coordinator Biye Beekeepers Society. Zaria Nigeria. P O Box 577 Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria - Idrisbee@yahoo.com Marital status: Married (1 wife with six (6) children). Occupation: Agricultural/Apicultural Extensionist and Apitherapist. Qualification (s): National Diploma Agriculture/Beekeeping, Higher Diploma in Agriculture, 3 certificates in beekeeping technology. Publications: (Unpublished) Impact of Agricultural Extension Agents to the development of Agriculture in Zaria, Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria Impact of the Biye Beekeepers society to the development of beekeeping in Zaria Area of Kaduna State, Nigeria. Personal Achievement: 1. Founder, coordinator and sponsor of Biye Beekeepers Society, Zaria-Nigeria. 2. Founding member organic farming extension society, Zaria Nigeria. 3. Author (own dialect).