SustainingthehoneybeepopulationandapicultureintheWesternCape

ThedevelopmentofthisstrategywascommissionedbytheWesternCapeDepartmentofAgricultureandcompletedinaconsultativemannerwithinputsfromvariousindustrystakeholders

FinalStrategyReportOctober2017

Documentpreparedby:

Agrifusion(Pty)Ltd1AndringaStreetStellenboschT +27218829922E anneline@agrifusion.co.zaW www.agrifusion.co.za

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Documentcontrol

Projectname Sustaining the honey bee population and apiculture in theWesternCape

Appointmentagreement FirstServiceLevelAgreementdated20January2017

SecondServiceLevelAgreementdated28August2017

Titleofthisdocument Finalreport

Documentpreparedfor WesternCapeDepartmentofAgriculture–BusinessPlanningandStrategy

Leadserviceprovider Agrifusion(Pty)Ltd

Distributed/issuedto DrDirkTroskie–Director,BusinessPlanningandStrategy

(bye-mail:dirkt@elsenburg.com)

Dateofthisdocument October2017

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OutlineofthedocumentItiswidelyacceptedthatthesustainabilityofthehoneybeewillcontributetosecuringfoodsourcesforthefuture.Wearedependentuponhoneybeesasaninsectpollinatortoensurethesuccessfulgrowthofmanyagriculturalcommodities.Thenumberofmanagedcoloniesinacertainareaneedtobesufficient incontributingtowardssatisfyingthedemandforpollination inthatarea. InordertounderstandthiscorrelationforSouthAfricaandconsiderthegrowthoftheagriculturalindustryinthenextfewyears,wewouldneedtounderstandthedemandandsupplyandplanforfutureneeds.Ifweneedacertainnumberofbeecolonies,thenweneedtoensurethatthereisenoughforageforthosecolonies.Thisstrategicengagementwasbornoutoftheneedtoaddressanumberofcriticalissuesthatarehamperingtheproductivityandsustainabilityoftheapicultureindustryandthehoneybee(andbyimplicationthefruitandberryindustries)intheWesternCape.TheprocesswasinitiatedandfundedbytheWesternCapeDepartmentofAgriculture(WCDoA)andfacilitatedbyAgrifusionasappointedbyWCDoA.Agrifusionfollowedaninclusiveprocess,formingaprojecttaskteam(PTT)consistingofindustrystakeholderstodrivethedirectionoftheengagement.Theproblemstatementforthestrategyhasbeendevelopedtogetherwithvariousstakeholders.Thefollowingissueswereraised:

• Insufficientbeeforage;• Theftandvandalism;• Diseasemanagement;• Environmentalhazards;• Lackofregulationandunityintheindustry;• Lackofeducation;• Demandforresearchcapacity;and• Exposuretoexternalfactors(suchasdroughtsandfires).

An industry SWOT analysis (exploring the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) wasconductedandcertainstretchtargetswereidentifiedtobereachedby2030.Thisprocessassistedtheteamtostartunderstandingwhatthestrategyshouldentail.Ensuingfromin-depthdiscussionsoftheproblemstatement,stretchtargets,aprioritisationofthemesandSWOTanalysis,strategicthemeswereclusteredtogetherinanattempttocondensetheworkthatneedstobedoneandmovetowardsastrategywithpractical,attainablegoals.Thefollowingfivethemesorworkstreamshavebeenidentified:

1. Sustainablebeeforage;2. Researchandinnovation;3. Regulatoryframework;4. Transformation;and5. Governanceandstakeholders.

Foreachofthethemesanumberofactionshavebeenidentifiedandformspartofthestrategyforexecutioninthefuture.Thesethemesarediscussedinthebodyofthedocument.Itshould,however,berememberedthatthepurposeofthisdocumentremainstoprovideahigh-levelstrategylookingatanumberofdifferentareasofconcern.Follow-upworkperthemewouldhavetodelveintothedetailofimplementation.

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Theexecutionandfurtherdevelopmentofthisstrategyisgoingtobecrucialforthesuccessoftheindustry.ItisthereforesuggestedthatthePTTshouldbeformalisedinsomemannerandcontinuetomeet periodically to drive the implementation of the agenda that was now created through thecurrentengagement.Thestrategymatrixcanbeusedasadashboardgoingforward,whereprojectprogress can bemeasured and reported. However, funding considerations for this process goingforwardiscrucialinthesuccessoffurtherdevelopmentandimplementation.Wewouldliketothankeachprojecttaskteammemberfortheirvaluablecontributionsduringthein-depthdiscussionsaswellasARCformakingavailabletheirboardroomfacilities.

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ExecutiveSummaryTodateitiswidelyunderstoodandacceptedthatthesustainabilityofthemanagedhoneybeewillcontributetofoodsecurityforthefuture.Thisismainlyduetoourrelianceonmanagedhoneybeesforpollinatingagriculturalcropsthatarevitalforsufficientfoodproduction.AccordingtotheSouthAfrican National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) more than 50 different crops in South Africa aredependentuponinsectpollination.The number ofmanaged colonies in a certain area need to be sufficient in contributing towardssatisfyingthedemandforpollinationinthatarea.InordertounderstandthiscorrelationforSouthAfricaandconsiderthegrowthoftheagriculturalindustryinthenextfewyears,wewouldneedtounderstandthedemandandsupplyandplanforfutureneeds.Ifweneedacertainnumberofbeecolonies,thenweneedtoensurethatthereisenoughforageforthosecolonies.After various consultations with the beekeeping industry and a formal request submitted by theWesternCapeBeeIndustryAssociation(WCBA)forassistancewithastrategicplan,theDirectoratefor Business Planning and Strategy, Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA), hascommissionedanengagementtosupportthedevelopmentofastrategytosustainthehoneybeeandapicultureintheWesternCape.Agrifusion(Pty)Ltd("theServiceProvider")wasthesuccessfulbidderintermsoftheRequestforProposalsissuedbytheWCDoA.Thisprocess, thus,wasbornoutofaneedthatthe industryexpressed, indicatingthattheywouldembrace assistancewith strategy direction. The role of the service provider in this instance is tofacilitatetheprocessandassisttheindustrytodevelopastrategy.Theanswersthatanindustryneedstotakethemtothenextlevelaremostlikelyamongstitsownranks,butitoftenhelpstogetexternalguidanceinextractingandapplyingthoseanswerssuccessfullyandsustainably.Thestrategy–contextandmethodology

Inordertobeabletoworkasanindustrywithaunifiedpurposetowardsacommongoal,itisfirstlyimportant tohaveacommonunderstandingof theproblemstatement thatneeds tobe“fixed” -defining it in away that all stakeholders are comfortablewith. It is therefore the first step in themethodologytobuildanunderstandingofthe“asis”.Itisawidelyacceptedfactthattheindustryisexperiencingchallenges,buttherearestillmanydifferentanglesonthosechallengesthatneededtobepackedout.Oncetheproblemstatementisacceptedandunderstoodbyallstakeholders,thenextstepistostartbuildingapictureoftheidealfuturestate(the“tobe”)intermsofstretchtargetsorgoalstoreachwithin a set timeframe. These targets need to be aspirational yet achievable. It is necessary tounderstandwhereonewantstomovebeforeonecanreallystarttobuildaroadmaptowardsthatendgoal.Thethirdstepintheprocessthereforeistosetouttheroadmapthatwillguidetheindustrytowardstheidealfuturestate.Duringthissteponeneedstoidentifykeyenablersandstartclusteringthemestogetherinordertoformworkstreamsandbringmorefocustotheprocess.Inthisprocess,itisalsoveryimportanttoprioritisethedifferentenablersaccordingtoimpactandpracticality.Thenonecanproceedtoidentifyprojectswithineachworkstreamthatwillcontributetowardsattainingstretchtargetsthatwerepreviouslyidentified.Termsofreferencecanbedrawnupforeachprojecttoproviderough guidelines towards the nature of execution, typical implementing agency, timeframes andbudgetneeds.

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Thisengagement isnotonly focusedontheprofitabilityandall-roundsuccessofapiculture in theWesternCape,butithasamuchbroadersystemicfocus,lookingattheviabilityofthenaturalhoneybeepopulations.Itisalsonotonlytheroleofonestakeholdergroup,butofalldifferentstakeholdergroupsthathaveabearingonthisissue.Twostructureshavebeenputinplaceforthepurposesoftheengagement:

• ProjectSteeringCommittee(PSC);and• ProjectTaskTeam(PTT).

ThePSCmetperiodically to signoff on engagementphases, andprovideddirection and guidanceduringtheprocess.ThePTTactedasthe“engineroom”whereallthethemesofthestrategywerediscussed, and the problem statements aswell as stretch targets and roadmaps set out. The PTTpurposefullyincludedanumberofdifferentstakeholdersrepresentingGovernmentontheProvinciallevel, researchers, commercial- & smallholder beekeepers, industry representatives and the retailindustry.GovernmentattheNationallevel,thoughnotpartofthePTT,wasrequestedforinputwhereappropriate.Problemstatement

Weunderstandthatthehoneybeeisasimportantaswater,landandairfortheproductionofcertainagriculturalcommoditiesintheWesternCape.Wealsoknowthatthereisgoingtobeagrowingneedforpollinationservicesastheagricultural industrygrowsinthenext10–15yearsandwearenotputtingenoughenergyintomanagingthiscriticalresource.Thekeyquestionis-whatdowewanttofix?OutofdiscussionswiththePTT,anumberofissueswereraisedasperthelistbelow.Pleasenotethatthisisnotanexhaustivelist,butmerelyreflectsthediscussionsthattookplacewithinthePTT.Theremightbemanyotheraspectstoberegardedasimportantbyroleplayers,andcouldmostcertainlybeexploredinfollow-upprocessesbytheindustry.Thefollowingissueswereraised:

• Insufficientbeeforage• Theftandvandalism• Diseasemanagement• Environmentalhazards• Lackofregulation,transformationandunityintheindustry• Lackofeducation• Demandforresearchcapacity• Exposuretoexternalfactors(suchasdroughtsandfires)

Theseissuesarediscussedatsomelengthinthebodyofthereport.IndustrySWOTanalysis

DuringPTTdiscussions,aSWOTanalysiswascompletedbythegroupasanattempttorecognisethethreatsandweaknesses(whichmaybesimilartotheproblemstatement),butalsothestrengthsandopportunitiesthatmaybenecessarytoleveragefrominthestrategy.ThepointsmentionedintheSWOTanalysisarebrieflydiscussedinthereport.

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Stretchtargets

DuringPTTdiscussions,anumberofstretchtargetswereagreedupon.Someofthesearerealitiesthatthegroupforeseesandothersaremorebasedonthewishesofthegroupthatwhichtheywouldliketopursue.ThedevelopmentofthesestretchtargetsassistedthePTTtounderstandwheretheyaremoving–todefineacommongoalandbeclearabouttherealitiesthatwillbefacedinthefuture.Onlyoncethisisclear,cantheroadtowardsthefuturebemappedout.Stretchtargetsshouldnotnecessarilybeeasilyattainable.Thereshouldbeameasureof“stretch”inthesethatwilldrivetheindustry to reach new heights. This exercise helped the stakeholders participating in the PTTworkshops tostartmoving towardsdefining research themes thatcan formpartofan innovative,sustainable,practicalandattainablestrategyfortheindustry.5Strategicthemes

Ensuing from in-depth discussions of the problem statement, stretch targets, a prioritisation ofthemesandtheSWOTanalysis,strategicthemeswereclusteredtogethertocondensetheworkthatneedstobedoneandmovetowardsastrategywithpractical,attainablegoals.Thefollowingfivethemesorworkstreamshavebeenidentified:

1. Sustainablebeeforage2. Researchandinnovation3. Regulatoryframework4. Transformation5. Governanceandstakeholders

Inpreparationforthelastworkshop,individualPTTmemberswereallocatedtospecificworkstreamswithaviewtodevelopingdefinableprojectsthatcouldbeinitiatedwithineachworkstream(inpartor in full). Participantswereencouraged todevelopdraft termsof reference,wherepossible, forpossibleprojects.Thiscouldincludesuggestedresponsibilityallocation,phasesandstepstofollow,timelines,budgetconsiderations,etc.Theintentionwiththisexercisewastostartmovingtowardsapractical,attainablestrategyfortheindustry,makinguseoftheinputsofitskeystakeholders.Thethemesthathavebeenfurtherdevelopedarediscussedinthebodyofthedocument.Follow-upworkperthemewouldhavetodelveintothedetailofimplementation.Continuedimplementation,monitoringandevaluation

Theexecutionandfurtherdevelopmentofthisstrategyisgoingtobecrucialforthesuccessoftheindustry.ItisthereforesuggestedthatthePTTshouldbeformalisedinsomemannerandcontinuetomeet periodically to drive the implementation of the agenda that was now created through thecurrentengagement.ThecontinuedeffortsofthePTTasaforumwouldassistgreatlytobringthisstrategyto lifeandensurethatmilestoneswillbereachedwithintheshort tomediumterm. Thestrategy matrix could be used as a dashboard going forward, where project progress could bemeasuredandreported.However,fundingconsiderationsforthisprocessgoingforwardiscrucialinthesuccessoffurtherdevelopmentandimplementation.

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Listofabbreviations

ARC AgriculturalResearchCouncilDAFFDEA

DepartmentofAgriculture,ForestryandFisheriesDepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairs

DEA&DP DepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairsandDevelopmentPlanning,WesternCapeDEDAT DepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandTourism,WesternCapeDoHDTIPTT

DepartmentofHealthDepartmentofTradeandIndustryProjectTaskTeam

PSC ProjectSteeringCommitteeSABIO SouthAfricanBeekeepingIndustryOrganisationSALGASANBI

SouthAfricaLocalGovernmentAssociationSouthAfricanNationalBiodiversityInstitute

SCBA SouthernCapeBeeIndustryAssociationWCBA WesternCapeBeeIndustryAssociationWCDoA WesternCapeDepartmentofAgricultureWfW

WorkingforWater

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TableofContents

1. Listofdefinitionsandclarifications.................................................................................................122. Context.............................................................................................................................................12HoneybeesandbeekeepinginSouthAfrica........................................................................................12

Twosub-species...............................................................................................................................12Figure 1: Left: Apis mellifera capensis - (Cape honey bee), and Right: Apis mellifera scutellata(Africanhoneybee)..........................................................................................................................13Pollinationservicesandhoneyproduction.......................................................................................13Pollinationdemands........................................................................................................................13

Contextofthisengagement.................................................................................................................143. Scope,processandmethodology...................................................................................................15Methodology........................................................................................................................................15Governance..........................................................................................................................................16Problemstatement..............................................................................................................................18

Beeforage........................................................................................................................................19Theftandvandalism........................................................................................................................20Diseasemanagement......................................................................................................................20Environmentalhazards....................................................................................................................20Lackofregulationandunityintheindustry.....................................................................................21Lackofeducation.............................................................................................................................21Demandforresearchcapacity.........................................................................................................22Exposuretoexternalfactorssuchasfires........................................................................................22

IndustrySWOTanalysis........................................................................................................................22Strengths..........................................................................................................................................22Weaknesses.....................................................................................................................................23Opportunities...................................................................................................................................23Threats.............................................................................................................................................23

Stretchtargets......................................................................................................................................244. Themesforstrategydevelopment..................................................................................................25Introducingthe5themes.....................................................................................................................25Theme1:Sustainablebeeforage.........................................................................................................26

EstablishingaBeeForageCommission............................................................................................26AssessWesternCapeusageofland–CapeFarmMapper..............................................................26Developplantbookexploringbeefriendlyplants............................................................................27Beefriendlycampaignwithnurseries..............................................................................................27Feasibilitystudytoimplementamassbeeforageplantingproject................................................27

Theme2:Researchandinnovation......................................................................................................29Theme3:Regulatoryframework.........................................................................................................29

DatabaseofbeekeeperswithDAFF.................................................................................................29Industry-leveldatabase....................................................................................................................30Licensingofbeekeepers...................................................................................................................30Increasedinspectionandextensionservices....................................................................................30

Theme4:Transformation.....................................................................................................................31SAApicultureDevelopmentChamber..............................................................................................31Beekeepingdevelopmentprogrammes...........................................................................................31

Theme5:Governanceandstakeholders..............................................................................................32ApiculturalAdvisoryCouncil.............................................................................................................32Industryunity...................................................................................................................................33Parkinglot........................................................................................................................................34

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5. Thewayforward..............................................................................................................................35Strategymatrix.....................................................................................................................................35Continuationoftaskteamforimplementation,monitoringandevaluation.......................................37Bibliography..............................................................................................................................................39Addendums...............................................................................................................................................40

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TablesandfiguresTable1-CompositionofPSC...............................................................................................................17Table2:CompositionofPTT................................................................................................................17Table3:Stretchtargetstowards2030.................................................................................................24Table4:Typicalcommoditiesandproductsformassforageplantingproject....................................27Table5:BeeForageCommissionversusApiculturalAdvisoryCouncil................................................33Table6:Summaryofprojects..............................................................................................................35Figure1:Left:Apismelliferacapensis-(CapeHoneybee),andRight:Apismelliferascutellata(African

bee).................................................................................................Error!Bookmarknotdefined.Figure2:Buildingastrategicroadmap.................................................................................................15Figure3:Responsibilitytowardssustainablehoneybeesandapiculture............................................16Figure4:Threelevelsofeducation......................................................................................................21Figure5:Prioritisingstrategicthemesconcerningbeesandapiculture..............................................25Figure6:Developingagovernancestructurefortheapicultureindustry...........................................33

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1. ListofdefinitionsandclarificationsThefollowingdefinitionsareprovidedinordertodeveloptheframeworkwithinwhichthisdocumentshouldbeunderstoodandread.

Honey bee – With the exception of the paragraph specifically addressing the wild honey beepopulationintheWesternCape,inallcasesofreferenceto‘honeybees’or‘bees’,wearereferringtomanagedhoneybees(Apisspp)andnotferalorwildbees.

2. ContextHoneybeesandbeekeepinginSouthAfricaTodateitiswidelyunderstoodandacceptedthatthesustainabilityofthehoneybeeisacontributingfactortowardsglobalfoodsecurityinfuture.Thisismainlyduetoourrelianceonbeesforpollinatingagricultural crops that are vital for sufficient food production. According to SANBI,more than 50differentcropsinSouthAfricaaredependentuponinsectpollination.The number ofmanaged colonies in a certain area need to be sufficient in contributing towardssatisfyingthedemandforpollinationinthatarea.InordertounderstandthiscorrelationforSouthAfricaandconsiderthegrowthoftheagriculturalindustryinthenextfewyears,wewouldneedtounderstandthedemandandsupplyandplanaccordinglyforfutureneeds.Ifweneedacertainnumberofbeecolonies,thenweneedtoensurethatthereisenoughforageforthosecolonies.Thiscriticalresourceneedstobemanagedaccordingtoscientificdata.Twosub-speciesSouth Africa houses two indigenous sub-species of honey bees, namely Apis mellifera scutellata(“Africanbee”)andApismelliferacapensis(“Capebee”).TheCapebee’snaturalhabitatisthewinter

ARC AgriculturalResearchCouncilDAFFDEA

DepartmentofAgriculture,ForestryandFisheriesDepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairs

DEA&DP DepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairsandDevelopmentPlanning,WesternCapeDEDAT DepartmentofEconomicDevelopmentandTourism,WesternCapeDoHDTIPTT

DepartmentofHealthDepartmentofTradeandIndustryProjectTaskTeam

PSC ProjectSteeringCommitteeSABIO SouthAfricanBeekeepingIndustryOrganisationSALGASANBI

SouthAfricaLocalGovernmentAssociationSouthAfricanNationalBiodiversityInstitute

SCBA SouthernCapeBeeIndustryAssociationWCBA WesternCapeBeeIndustryAssociationWCDoA WesternCapeDepartmentofAgricultureWfW

WorkingforWater

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rainfall regions of the Western and Southern Cape, and the African bee occurs naturally in thenorthernsummerrainfallregionsofthecountry.Thereisalsoahybridzonewherethetworegionsoverlapandthetwospeciesthereforehybridize.TheAfricanbeeisamoredefensivebeewithahardystrainandcapableofproducinglargecropsofhoney.TheCapebeetendstobemoredocile(althoughcanalsobecomedefensivewhenprovoked),distinguished fromtheAfricanbeebyadarkerabdomenandaresometimes referred toas“blackbees”. Ithasauniquecharacteristic inthattheworkerbees(females)havetheabilitytoproducebothmaleandfemaleoffspringandarethusabletore-queenacolonywhichhasbecomequeenless.

Figure1:Left:Apismelliferacapensis-(Capehoneybee),andRight:Apismelliferascutellata(Africanhoneybee)PollinationservicesandhoneyproductionAlthough the two species differ biologically, they are bothessential for the pollination of natural vegetation(maintaining biodiversity), are used extensively inagriculturalcroppollinationandthereforeplayacriticalrolein sustaining food sources for human consumption. With

regardstocommercialbeekeeping,50%ofparticipatingbeekeepers’revenueintheCapeatpresentcomefrompollinationservicesandthe50%fromhoneyproductionandotherbeerelatedproducts.Thisissubstantiallydifferenttotherestoftheworld,wherehoneyproductionisgenerallythemainincome.SouthAfricahasimportedmorethan2000tonnesofhoneyannuallysince2010,andhoneyproductionconsequentlydroppedto40%ofwhatitusedtobeinthe1980’s.Withtheever-increasingdemandforpollinationservicesandadropinlocalhoneyproduction,thereisaneedforacomprehensivestrategytoaddressalltheconcernsaroundapicultureandthehoneybee.PollinationdemandsDAFFcurrentlyhasover130000managedcoloniesofhoneybeesandover1800beekeepersontheirrecords,withmoreorless70000intheWesternCape.Itis,however,estimatedthattherealnumbers(includingfromunregisteredbeekeeperscolonies)areperhaps50%morethantheseofficialfigures.AccordingtoHortgro,thecurrentpollinationneedsrequiredbybeedependentdeciduousfruitcropsare65000pollinationunits–ademandthatiscurrentlybeingmet.Thisrequirementisforecastedtoincreasewithatleast30000pollinationunitsoverthenextdecadeduetonewcultivarsandgeneralintensificationoftheagriculturallandscape.Wildpollinatorswillbecomelessimportantasthenaturalhabitat on the periphery of agricultural landscapes is further reduced. The seed industry is alsoforecastedtoanincreaseddemandforpollinationof30000pollinationunitsoverthenextdecadeandtheberrygrowerswith20000units.Onecouldstillincludetheneedsofthealmond,macadamia,avocadoandcherry industries tonamea few thathasnotbeen included incalculations. (SAFruitJournal,2017).The fact is that thedemandwillonlykeepon increasingandwillmost likely reachdoublewhat isneededtoday.Thequestionishowarewegoingtoensurethatthereareenoughbeecolonieswithsufficientforagetosustainthem?Thewildhoneybeepopulation

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ItisalsoimportanttonotethatintheWesternCape,SouthAfricaandAfricahoneybeesarenotonlymanagedforhoneyproductionandpollinationservices,butarealsoawildandindigenousspecies,andthatthiswildhoneybeepopulationisentirelyinter-linkedwiththemanagedhoneybeepopulation.ThereisessentiallynobeebreedinginAfrica,andhencetherearenodifferencesbetweenthewildandmanagedbeepopulations.Coloniesinmanagedhivesaretrappedfromthewildpopulation,andswarmsissuingfrommanagedcoloniesreturntothewild.Hence,whathappenstomanagedbeeshappenstowildbees,andviceversa.Actionstakenbybeekeepersandtheusersofbeesforpollination,suchasthespreadingofbeediseasesortheover-harvestingofbeecoloniestoservicepollinationneeds,thereforeimpactonthewildhoneybeepopulationoftheWesternCape,SouthAfricaandconceivablythewholeofAfrica.Thevalueofwildhoneybeesbyvirtueoftheirincidentalpollinationofgardenplants,exoticplants,andespeciallyindigenousplantsisinestimable,butitiscertainthatthiswildhoneybeepopulationiscriticalinmaintainbiodiversityandconservation,aswellasservingasareservoirforbeekeepers,andespeciallysmall-scalebeekeepers.HoneybeesareapivotalspeciesinAfricabeingthemostimportantgeneralistpollinatoronthecontinent,pollinating40-70%ofindigenousfloweringplants.TheCapehoneybee,ApismelliferacapensisisanessentialpollinatorofthefloristicallyimportantFynbosBiome,beinglocallyadaptedtoflyundercoolerandwindierconditionsthanthenorthernsub-speciesofhoneybee.Approximately83%ofthefynbosplantsareinsectpollinated,withtheCapehoneybeebeingthemostimportantgeneralistpollinator.Asregardstothereservoircomponent,mostbeekeepersintheWesternCapeandtherestofSouthAfricaregularlytraphoneybeecoloniesfromthe‘wild’,withthisservicebeingcrucialtotheviabilityofmanyofthesebeekeepingenterprises.Conversely,ascommercialandpollinationdemandsformanagedbeesincrease,thereisadistinctriskofover-harvestingfromthewildhoneybeepopulation.Therefore,themanagementofahealthywildhoneybeepopulationintheWesternCape(orSouthAfrica)andthemanagementofsustainableapicultureindustryintheWesternCape(orSouthAfrica)isoneandthesamething,asthebeepopulationsareinextricablylinked.Bothahealthywildhoneybeepopulationandanefficientandviablebeekeepingindustryareabsolutelyessential iftheyieldandqualityofagriculturalcropsistobeimproved,andiftheseeconomicsectorsaretocompeteontheworldmarket,andifconservationimperativesaretobeserved.

ContextofthisengagementAfter various consultations with the beekeeping industry and a formal request submitted by theWesternCapeBeeIndustryAssociation(WCBA)forassistancewithastrategicplan,theDirectoratefor Business Planning and Strategy, Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA), hascommissionedanengagementtosupportthedevelopmentofastrategytosustainthehoneybeeandapicultureintheWesternCape.Agrifusion(Pty)Ltd("theServiceProvider")wasthesuccessfulbidderintermsoftheRequestforProposalissuedbytheWCDoA.Thisprocess,thus,wasbornoutofaneedthattheindustryexpressed,indicatingthattheywouldembraceassistancewithstrategydirection.Theroleoftheserviceproviderinthisinstanceistofacilitatetheprocess.Theanswersthatanindustryneedstotakethemtothenextlevelaremostlikelyamongstitsownranks,butitoftenhelpstogetexternalguidanceinextractingandapplyingthoseanswerssuccessfullyandsustainably.

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3. Scope,processandmethodology

MethodologyInordertobeabletoworkasanindustrywithaunifiedpurposetowardsacommongoal,itisfirstlyimportant tohaveacommonunderstandingof theproblemstatement thatneeds tobe“fixed” -defining it in away that all stakeholders are comfortablewith. It is therefore the first step in themethodologytobuildanunderstandingofthe“asis”.Itisawidely-acceptedfactthattheindustryisexperiencingchallenges,buttherearestillmanydifferentanglesonthosechallengesthatneededtobepackedout.Oncetheproblemstatementisacceptedandunderstoodbyallstakeholders,thenextstepistostartbuildingapictureoftheidealfuturestate(the“tobe”)intermsofstretchtargetsorgoalstoreachwithin a set timeframe. These targets need to be aspirational yet achievable. It is necessary tounderstandwhereonewantstomovebeforeonecanreallystarttobuildaroadmaptowardsthatendgoal.Thethirdstepintheprocessthereforeistosetouttheroadmapthatwillguidetheindustrytowardstheidealfuturestate.Duringthissteponeneedstoidentifykeyenablersandstartclusteringthemestogetherinordertoformworkstreamsandbringmorefocustotheprocess.Inthisprocess,itisalsoveryimportanttoprioritisethedifferentenablersaccordingtoimpactandpracticality.Thenonecanproceedtoidentifyprojectswithineachworkstreamthatwillcontributetowardsattainingstretchtargets thatwerepreviously identified.Termsof reference couldbedrawnup foreachproject toprovideroughguidelinestowardsthenatureofexecution,typicalimplementingagency,timeframesandbudgetneeds.Figure2:Buildingastrategicroadmap

It should be noted that a strategic engagement of this nature needs to have practical outcomes.Solutionsneedtobeinnovativeandconsiderthebiggerpicturebutatthesametimetheyshouldbepracticalandattainable,makingatangibledifferencenotonlyonapolicylevelbutrightthroughtothegroundlevel.Solutionsshouldbringsystemicsustainability.Thisengagementhasasitsfocusnotonlytheprofitabilityandall-roundsuccessofapicultureintheWesternCape,butithasamuchbroadersystemicfocus,lookingatthesustainabilityofthehoneybeewithin theapiculture industry. It isalsonotonly the roleofonestakeholdergroup,butofalldifferentstakeholdergroupsthathaveabearingonthisissue.

Problemstatement

ofthe“asis” Stretchtargetsof

the“tobe” Howdowegetthere?

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Figure3:Responsibilitytowardssustainablehoneybeesandapiculture

Thefollowinggroupingsallhavearesponsibilitytowardsthesustainabilityofthehoneybee,albeitondifferentlevels:

• Commercialbeekeepers;• Small-holderbeekeepers;• Landowners;• Governmentondifferentlevels(local,provincialandnational);• Thewideragriculturalindustry;• Organisationsofbeekeepers(suchasbeekeepers’associations);and• Generalpublic.

Thisstrategydevelopmentprocessshouldthereforebetrulysystemicinnatureasonewouldneedtheinvolvementofallthedifferentstakeholdergroupsondifferentlevelsonsubprojectstoensuretheoverallsustainabilityoftheproposedstrategy.

GovernanceTwostructureshavebeenputinplaceforthepurposesoftheengagement:

• ProjectSteeringCommittee(PSC);and• ProjectTaskTeam(PTT).

ThechairofthePSCisDrDirkTroskieoftheWCDoA.Thesteeringcommitteeconsistsofthefollowingindividuals:

Sustainablehoneybees

andapiculture

Commercialbeekeepers

Small-holderbeekeepers

Governmentondifferent

levels

Thewideragriculturalindustry

Organisationsrepresentingbeekeepers

Generalpublic

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Table1-CompositionofPSC

Name Representativebody

DirkTroskie WCDoA

HelenHeyns WCDoAFransvanWyk AgrifusionAnnelineHugo AgrifusionPhirdyMotala Agrifusion

ThePSCmetperiodically to signoff on engagementphases, andprovideddirection and guidanceduringtheprocess.ThePTTconsistedofthefollowingindividuals:Table2:CompositionofPTT

Name Representativebody

FransvanWyk Agrifusion(facilitatorrole)

AnnelineHugo Agrifusion(facilitatorrole)

MikeAllsopp AgriculturalResearchCouncil(ARC)

PhirdyMotala BeekeeperandmemberoftheserviceproviderteamBrendanAshley-Cooper Beekeeper andVice Chair of theWestern Cape Bee Industry Association

(WCBA)TlouMasehela SANBI,alsoRepresentativeoftheWCBACharlesSalmon RepresentativeofWCDoA RobertPost Beekeeper,involvedinlarge-scalecooperativeoperations

JacquesHurter Beekeeperandretailer

RiaanvanZylofDAFFwasrequestedtoattendonePTTmeetingtobriefthePTTontheroleofDAFFinbeekeepermanagement,andinparticular,onthebeekeeperregistrationprocess.ThePTTmetonthefollowingfouroccasionsforstrategicworkshops:

• 28February2017;

• 28March2017;

• 25April2017;and

• 30May2017.

ThePTTactedasthe“engineroom”whereallthethemesofthestrategywerediscussed,andtheproblemstatementsaswellasstretchtargetsandroadmapssetout.ThePTTpurposefullyincludedanumber of different stakeholders representing Government, researchers, commercial and smallholderbeekeepersandretail.

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ItissuggestedthatthisPTTremainsafterthestrategicphaseofthisengagementhasbeenconcludedandcontinuetomeetonamonthlyorbi-monthlybasistodrivetheimplementationofthestrategy,andthatitshouldbeenlargedtoincluderepresentationfromDAFF,theSCBA,theKnysnabeekeepinggroupandretailers.Thestructureofthisgroupcanfurthermorebeformalisedtoalways includeadelegatedrepresentativefromeachofthefollowingorganisationsorstakeholdergroups:

• WCBA• SCBA• Knysnagroup• Bottlers• DAFF• WCDoA• ARC

ProblemstatementWeunderstandthatthehoneybeeisasimportantaswater,landandairfortheproductionofcertainagriculturalcommoditiesintheWesternCape.Wealsoknowthatthereisgoingtobeagrowingneedforpollinationservicesastheagriculturalindustrygrowsinthenext10–15years.The number ofmanaged colonies in a certain area need to be sufficient in contributing towardssatisfyingthedemandforpollinationinthatarea.InordertounderstandthiscorrelationforSouthAfricaandconsiderthegrowthoftheagriculturalindustryinthenextfewyears,wewouldneedtounderstandthedemandandsupplyandplanaccordinglyforfutureneeds.Ifweneedacertainnumberofbeecolonies,thenweneedtoensurethatthereisenoughforageforthosecolonies.Thiscriticalresourceneedstobemanagedaccordingtoscientificdata.ItisimperativethatmoretimeisspentonthespecificproblemstatementfortheWesternCape.Thekeyquestioniswhatdowewanttofix?OutofdiscussionswiththePTT,anumberof issueswereraised.Herefollowsabriefdiscussionoftheseissuessoastosetthesceneforthefurtherunpackingofthestrategy.Pleaserememberthatthis isanon-exhaustive listof issuesthatweremostemphasised indiscussions,butshouldnotbeseenascompleteorexclusive.Theremaybemanyotheraspectsthatmayberegardedasimportantbyroleplayers,andcanmostcertainlybeexploredinfollowupprocessesbytheindustry.Theissuesthatwillbediscussedhere,are:

• Beeforage• Theftandvandalism• Diseasemanagement• Environmentalhazards• Lackofregulationandunityintheindustry• Lackofeducation• Demandforresearch• Exposuretoexternalfactors

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BeeforageThesinglelargestconcernisthatthereisnotsufficientbeeforageintheWesternCape.SouthAfrica’shoneybeesrelyonbothindigenousandexoticspecies(butmostlyexoticspeciesliketheEucalyptus),floweringcrops,andsuburbanplantstoprovideimportantforagesourcesall-yearround.Honeybeesarealsothemostimportantgeneralistpollinatorsinournaturallandscapes,andthemostimportantpollinatorforapproximately50insectpollinatedcommercialcropsinSouthAfrica.Itisoftheutmostimportancethatweensurethathoneybeepopulationshavegoodqualityfoodsuppliesthroughouttheyear.Therefore,it isessentialtounderstandwhichforageresourceswillbestbuildandsustainourbeecoloniesandsupporthoneyproduction.OneoftheproblemsisthatsixspeciesofEucalyptustrees,allofwhichareexcellentbeeforage,havebeentargetedaspartofDAFF’sWorkingforWater(WfW)programmebecausetheyareinvasivealienspeciesthatisseentoposeathreattothenaturalwatersourcesincertainenvironmentalcontexts.Some may argue that the assumption that they are a threat is incorrect, but nevertheless theprogramme is widely supported. The primary objective of WfW is to increase water yield.Unfortunately, this laudable objective has resulted in the six species being targeted in allenvironmentalcontexts,evenwhentheyposenowaterthreat,andinallspeciesofeucalyptsbeingtargeted because ‘a gum is a gum’. However, one couldmake the case that inmany landscapecontextstheassociatedbenefitsofanalienplantsuchastheEucalyptusmayoutweighthecostoferadicationandthereforewarrantitscontinuedexistenceindemarcatedareas,evenforthecurrentlytargetedspecies.Althoughresearchhasbeendoneinthisregard,itstillposesagreatchallengeandnorealsolutionshavebeenacceptedthatareinfavourofhoneybees,andgreatereffortsareneededtochangetheprevailingnarrativeandtopreserveeucalyptsasbeeforagewhereverpossible.Asanexample,bothElsenburgandDAFFinStellenboschsimplycutdownalltheirgumtrees,noneofwhichhad any invasive threat, because thatwas ‘the right thing to do’, and bees and bee forageweredeemedunimportant.Ithasbeenconsideredtoexploreopportunitiesofusingnaturereservesforbeeforage.However,thisposesmanyproblemsasthecustodiansofnaturereservesintheWesternCape,suchasCapeNature,hasasitsmainresponsibilitytoprotectwildswarmsanddonotwantanybeesfromoutsidetobebroughtintoareserve.Thereisalsoneedforclearguidanceintermsoftheperipheralareasaroundreserves–creatingabufferaroundreserves.Althoughsomefynbosspeciescouldprovideforagetobees, it isactuallyasmallpercentage.Greaterclarity,however, isneededas regards thepolicyofNatureConservationintermsofforageaccessformanagedhoneybees.Concerningforage,itisalsoimportanttotakecognisanceofchangesinagriculturalcropssuchaspip-lessvarietiesofcitrusandlowforageproducingcanola.Thesechangesradicallyaffectthesourcesoffoodforbees.Bees’availabilityfurthermorecanbeanunnecessaryrestrictingfactorineconomicgrowthandjobcreationinthefruitindustryandotherrelatedindustries.Insufficientforagesubsequentlyleadstoinsufficienthoney-andpollenreservestocarrybeesthroughwinteroranaturalperiodofaforageshortage. Ithasalreadybeenmentionedthatthepollinationdemandoftheagriculturalindustrywillmoreorlessdoubleoverthenext10yearsaccordingtorelativelyconservativeforecasts.Thereisnowaythatthatdemandwillbemetifdrasticmeasuresarenotputinplacetoincreasetheforagecake,allowingmorecolonies tobe sustained. If there isnotgoing tobe sufficient forage, then therewillnotbeenoughhoneybeesandthereforeonecanunderstandthatthisissueisagreatpriorityfortheindustrytoaddresssoonerratherthanlater.ItisacceptedbythePTTthatmost(70%)ofthe‘implementation’energyshouldbeallocatedtothisthemeafterthestrategicphaseoftheengagement.

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TheftandvandalismTheftandvandalismposesagreatthreattobeekeepersastheycontinuouslystruggletofindsecuresitesfortheirhives.Thereisasignificantlinkbetweenforageandvandalism.Goodbeeforagemayexist,but if thebeesarenotsafeonthespecificsite, itdoesnothelptohavegoodforagethat isunused.Itshouldalsobeacknowledgedthatothernaturalpredatorsmaycauseasignificantthreattohoneybees.Thesemayincludebaboons,antsandhoneybadger.Inthisregard,man-madevandalismisthebiggestconcern.Lessthan5%ofbeekeepersowntheirownlandwheretheykeeplessthan5%oftheirbees.Beekeepersarethereforereliantonthegoodwillofother landowners for their beekeeping activities. Therefore, hives are often quite exposed andbeekeepersarediscouragedastheystruggletomakeendsmeetwiththegreatimpactoftheftandvandalism.DiseasemanagementDiseasemanagementisagreatconcernforbeekeepersandthereisagrowingneedforresearchinthisregard.SouthAfricawaspreviouslyfreeofmostofthemajordiseasesandpeststhatharmbees,butthearrivaloftrachealmites(1995),varroamites(1997)andAmericanFoulBrood(AFB-confirmedFebruary2009)hasusheredinanewseasonforbeekeepers.AllthemajorpestsanddiseasesintheworldarenowpresentinSouthAfrica.AFB,internationallyconsideredthemostseriousdisease,hasinthepasteightyearsgreatlyaffectedbees in theWestern Capewith 10%-20% of colonies in small beekeeping operations and 40% ofcoloniesinlargecommercialoperationsbecomingaffected.Thereishopethatthissituationhasnowimproved,butuntilproperinspectionandresearchserviceshavebeenputinplace,wewillnotknowforsure.AFBiscausedbythespore-formingbacteriumPaenibacilluslarvae.Beelarvaeuptothreedaysoldbecomeinfectedbyingestingsporesthatarepresentintheirfood.Sporesgerminateinthegutofthelarvaandthevegetativeformbeginstogrow,takingitsnourishmentfromthelarva.Bacterialgrowthcauseseventualdeathofthelarva.Thevegetativeformofthebacteriumwilldiebutnotbeforeithasproducedmillionsofspores.Eachdeadlarvamaycontainasmanyas1billionspores.Diseasespreadrapidlythroughoutthehiveasthebees,attemptingtoremovethespore-ladendeadlarvae, contaminate brood food. Beekeepers may also spread the disease by moving equipment(framesorsupers)fromcontaminatedhivestohealthyones.Registrationofallhivesbybeekeeperswouldhowevergreatlyassistwithdiseasemanagement.EnvironmentalhazardsEnvironmental hazardsmay include general pollution, heavymetals and possible electromagneticpollution,butmostofallagrochemicals.Recentdevelopmentsinthisfieldincludethedevelopmentof aPollinationServicesCharter tobuild relationshipsbetween cropgrowers, the cropprotectionindustryandbeefarmersinSouthAfrica.Thischarterstatesinsummaryformwhateachpartyshouldundertake to improve relationships and acknowledge the needs of others. This is a step towardsgreatersustainability.

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LackofregulationandunityintheindustryFurthermore,thereisalackofprotectionofhoneybeesasanaturalresource,whichgoeshand-in-handwithalackofproperregulationofbeekeeping.Weestimatethatmoreorless50%ofbeekeepersintheWesternCapeareactuallyregisteredwithDAFFandastillsmallerpercentagearemembersofabeekeepers’association likeWCBAorSCBA.Thismakesregulatingthe industryandprotecting itagainst threats like diseases and pests near impossible. Furthermore, there needs to be betterprotectionagainsttheftandvandalism,culminatinginimprovedenforcementmeasures.Theindustrycouldalsobealotmoresuccessfulinentrenchingastrategylikethisoneifitspeakswithaunifiedvoice.Therefore,thereneedstobeimprovedorganisationoftheindustryasawholewithbetter representationon industryassociationsaswellasbettercommunicationbetweendifferentassociations.Therearecurrentlythreedifferentindustryassociations(duetogeographiclocation)intheWesternCape,namelytheWesternCapeBeeIndustryAssociation(WCBA),theSouthernCapeBeeIndustryAssociation(SCBA)andtheKnysnaBeekeepersGroup.LackofeducationEducationismostneededonthreebasiclevels:

• Beekeepers: There are many small-scale hobbyists who do not necessarily have a solidfoundationofthebasicknowledgesurroundingbeekeeping.

• Wider agricultural sector / producers: Producers of agricultural commodities that rely onpollinationservicesshouldbeeducatedon theuseofharmfulpesticides, theuseofcovercropsthatwillprovidebeeforage,theuseofonlyregisteredbeekeepersatamarketrelatedvalue,etc.

• Generalpublic:Thereisagreatneedtoeducatethegeneralpublicintheimportanceofhoneybeesasanecologicalandagriculturalresourcethatshouldbeprotected,thecriticalrolethatbeesplayinensuringourfoodsourcesforthefutureandalsohowtheycouldcontributetobeeforagebymerelyplanting‘beefriendlyplants’inpersonalhomegardens.

Figure4:Threelevelsofeducation

Generalpublic

Agriculturalsector

Beekeepers

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DemandforresearchcapacityAsrecentlyasthemid-1990’sSouthAfricahadathrivingandsubstantialhoneybeeresearchsectionhousedintheARCPlantProtectionResearchInstitute,staffedwith5researchers,4techniciansand6assistants.ThebeesectionhadtwocentresinPretoriaandStellenbosch,goodapiariesandresources,dealingwithcommercialpollination,beeforage,pestsanddiseases,informationdisseminationandbeekeeping training. Unfortunately, however, this capacity has decreased to 1 researcher inStellenboschwithno support staff.Atpresent theARChoneybee research section isundergreatpressurewithaseriouslackofcapacityandinfrastructure,aswellasnosuccessionplanning.Consideringalltheareasofconcernalreadydiscussed,itisevidentthatanappropriatelyfundedandstaffedresearchcentreisneedednowmorethaneverbefore.However,fundingaloneisnotgoingtobesufficient.Thecapacityand institutionalknowledgeneeds tobedeveloped firstbefore fundingcouldbeallocatedforspecificresearchthemes.ExposuretoexternalfactorssuchasfiresAproblemstatementfortheapicultureindustrywouldnotbecompletewithoutaddressingtherisksposedbyexposuretoexternalfactorssuchasfiredamageanddrought.RecentfiresintheKnysnaarea (June 2017) has had a devastating effect on the local beekeeping industry asmore than 50beekeeperswereaffectedandlossesofmorethan300hiveswerereported.Theforagelossresultingout of this disaster will take at least five years to recover. Although the rest of the beekeepingfraternitywould like to support thesebeekeepersby sendingequipmentandhoneybees into thearea,thebeekeepersmayriskcontaminationoftheareawiththediseaseAFB.TheSouthernCape,especiallyKnysna, is currently still freeofAFB. Firesalso contributed to sanitising theareaof anysporeswhichmayhavebeenhidden.Ifequipmentorhoneybeesarebroughtintosuchanarea, itmay have the negative consequence of contaminating it again and potentially leading tocompromisingthelong-termsustainabilityofthosewhohavelostsomuchalready.

IndustrySWOTanalysisDuringPTTdiscussions,aSWOTanalysiswascompletedbythegroupasanattempttorecognisethethreatsandweaknesses(whichmaybesimilartotheproblemstatement),butalsothestrengthsandopportunitiesthatmaybenecessarytoleveragefrominthestrategy.ThepointsmentionedintheSWOTanalysiswillbebrieflydiscussedhere:StrengthsThefollowingstrengthswereidentifiedbythegroup:

• Demandformorehivesforcommercialpollinationservices;• Theindustryhasahighlevelofexistinginstitutionalknowledge(andexperience);• SAdelivershighqualityhoney,butlowquantities;• SAhasadiversityoffloralsources;and• Theindustryhashighqualityhoneybees• RapidlyincreasingdemandforhoneyinSouthAfricanmarkets.

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WeaknessesThefollowingweaknesseswereidentifiedbythegroup:

• Complianceislow;• Beekeepingstandardsarepoortoverypoor;• Therearenoinstitutionalstructures;• There is a reluctance amongst beekeepers to register with DAFF (regional and provincial

structures);• Thereisafundamentalshortageofforage,exacerbatedbycircumstances;• Uncontrolledlarge-scalefundingofnewentrants(oftenthroughGovernmentprogrammes)

withoutnecessarycapacitybuildingandanevaluationsystem(notsustainable)whichresultsintherebeingtoomanybeekeepersandtoomanynon-commercialbeecolonies,allstrainingtheavailableforagereserves;

• Thereisashortageofknowledgeamongstart-upandhobbyistbeekeepers;• Noproperdatabaseofbeekeepersexists;• Nodiseasemonitoringprogrammealthoughdiseasemonitoringregulationsdoexist;• Producersareabusingpesticideapplicationandthereisalackofregulationintheapplication

ofpesticides;• Involvementofstakeholdersinsustainablebeekeeping;• ThereisnoGovernmentlevelconsultativeforum(National&Provincial);and• Verypoormarketpenetration(honey).

OpportunitiesThefollowingopportunitieswereidentifiedbythegroup:

• Demandformorehives;• Everincreasingpollinationdemand;• Increasingrecognitionofhighqualityhoney;• Unutilisedland(possiblywithpotentialforforage);• Research&Developmentonforage&betterpollinationprocedures–usinghoneybeesina

betterway;• Educationandcreatingawareness;• Creatingbetterinstitutionalcontrol;• Creatingadatabaseofbeekeepers;• Buildingadiseasemanagementprogramme;• Marketforcetoassistindrivingsustainablebeekeeping(standardsofretailersetc.);• Bee-friendlylabels–qualityassuranceforallbee-relatedproducts;• “Pollinator-friendly”/bee-friendly–agriproducts;• Identifycropvarietiesthatgetarebate;• Localmarketforhoney–greatroomforexpansion(marketingopportunities);and• Urbanbeekeeping.

ThreatsThefollowingthreatswereidentifiedbythegroup:

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• Everincreasingnumberofbeekeeperswithoutresources&knowledge;• “bee-havers”–peoplewhodonotunderstandhowto“keep”bees;• Unregulatedopportunitiesforpollination&honey;• Fundamentalshortageofforage;• Honeyimportsandfakehoney;• Lackofregulation;• Vandalism&theft;• Eucalyptusremovals(WorkingforWater)–andotherforageconcerns;• Institutionalcontrolstructures(customscontrolsetc.);• Diseases–nomonitoringprogramme;• Changingcultivars-citrus;canolaetc.;and• “Inessence,weneedtoconsiderhowwewillmanagetheresourcebeforewewouldhaveto

managewithoutbees…”

StretchtargetsDuringPTTdiscussions,anumberofstretchtargetswereagreedupon.Someofthesearerealitiesthatthegroupforeseesandothersaremorebasedonthewishesofthegroup-thatwhichtheywouldliketopursue. Inthefollowingtabletheexistingsituationiscomparedwiththestretchtargetsforwhatthegroupenvisagesfor2030:Table3:Stretchtargetstowards2030

Existing–2017 Stretchtarget-2030

DAFF’scurrentstatistics:

1828beekeepers/137872managedcoloniesinSouthAfrica.755beekeepers/69205managedcoloniesintheWesternCape.

Numberswillmostprobablydouble.

Fragmentedpollinationindustry Holistically managed Cape bee population(Western-andEasternCape)

Insufficientforage;unregulatedsites All forage sites to be registered and therebyensuring better planning for the needs of bees;substantial forage creation and development isalsonecessary

Pollinationtohoneyratioof50:50 Pollinationtohoneyratioof80:20Nostakeholderforum EstablishedApiculturalAdvisoryForumOneextensionofficer in theWC–not fulltime

Increasednumberofadvisoryspecialists(4)

Insufficientenforcingofficials NationalenforcingofficialsVoluntaryCodeofConduct(standard) ComplianttoIndustryCodeofConductBee Industry currently classified underNationalDAFF-PlantHealth

Classification under National DAFF - AnimalHealth

Limited export opportunities (EU marketsinaccessible)

Openupexportmarkets

Lackofskills/capacity Trainingofbeekeepers(tertiary,certificate)

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ThisexercisehelpedthestakeholdersparticipatinginthePTTworkshopstostartmovingindiscussionsfrommerelystatingtheproblemwithadifferentangletowardsdefiningresearchthemesthatcanformpartofaninnovative,sustainable,practicalandattainablestrategyfortheindustry.ThefollowingprioritisationexercisewasalsodiscussedandcompletedduringPTTsessions:Figure5:Prioritisingstrategicthemesconcerningbeesandapiculture

Participants were requested to classify strategic themes in terms of its impact (high or low) andwhetheritisaneworexistingtheme.Itbecameevidentthroughthisexercisethatthetwolargestclusters are bee forage and the regulatory framework. Although bee forage has been a strategicconcernforsometime(itisnothingnew…),itisregardedasthesinglelargestconcernthatneedstobeaddressedgoingforward.Itwillthereforealsohavepre-eminenceasamainfocusgoingforward.

4. Themesforstrategydevelopment

Introducingthe5themesEnsuing from in-depth discussions of the problem statement, stretch targets, a prioritisation ofthemesandSWOTanalysis,strategicthemescouldbeclusteredtogetherinanattempttocondensetheworkthatneedstobedoneandmovetowardsastrategywithpractical,attainablegoals.Thefollowingfivethemesorworkstreamshavebeenidentified:

1. Sustainablebeeforage;2. Researchandinnovation;3. Regulatoryframework;

LowImpact

Existing

HighImpact

New

Beeforage Moreforage

Diversityofforage Managingforage

Compliance

Governanceand

stakeholders

Regulatory Educationof

beekeepers

Research&

innovation

Market

Societaleducation

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4. Transformation;and5. Governanceandstakeholders.

Beforethelastworkshop,participantstothePTTwereallocatedtothe5themes/worksstreamsforthepurposeofcomingtothemeetingwithasuggestiontowardsadefinableprojectthatwilladdressthetheme(inpartorinfull).Participantswereencouragedtodevelopdrafttermsofreference,wherepossible,forpossibleprojects.Thiscouldincludesuggestedresponsibilityallocation,phasesandstepstofollow,timelines,budgetconsiderations,etc.Theintentionwiththisexercisewastostartmovingtowardsapractical,attainablestrategyfortheindustry.Thesetermsofreferencesuggestionswerediscussedatthelastworkshopandformthebasisofthecontenttofollowhere.Itshouldberememberedthatthepurposeofthisdocumentremainstoprovideahigh-levelstrategylookingatanumberofdifferentareasofconcern.Follow-upworkperthemewouldhavetodelveintothedetailofimplementation.

Theme1:SustainablebeeforageThe suggested approach towards increasing bee forage in a sustainablemanner is multi-faceted,includinganumberofdifferentanglestothesameproblem.Thesewillbebrieflydiscussedhere.EstablishingaBeeForageCommissionTheideaofabeeForageCommissionwithGovernmentalrepresentationisspurredonbytherealitythatbeesareanationalresourcethatshouldbeprotected.Thiscommissioncantaketheresponsibilityofdrivingmanyoftheotherinitiativesasmentionedhereafter.Themainpurposeofthecommissionwillbetodirectandcoordinate,andwherenecessary, lobbywith the appropriate governmental levels on issues that need attention pertaining to bee forage.AlthoughthiscommissionshouldideallybesetuponNationalGovernmentlevel,itissuggestedthattheconceptbeintroducedonaProvinciallevelfirstandthenitcanberolledouttoanationallevel.TheproposedcompositionoftheBeeForageCommissionisasfollows:

• Representativesfromthebeekeepingindustry;• Growerrepresentatives;• DepartmentofEnvironmentalAffairsandDevelopmentPlanning;• DepartmentofRuralDevelopmentandLandReform;• DAFF• AgriWesternCape;• Municipalities–SALGA;• CASIDRA;• DepartmentofWaterAffairs;• WCDoAandForestry;• SANBI;• ARC;• UniversitiesintheProvince;and

AssessWesternCapeusageofland–CapeFarmMapperTheCapeFarmMapperisaGISsystemthatprovidestheuseroflayersofinformationpertainingtothelandareaoftheWesternCape.Thedifferentagriculturalcommoditiescanbeviewedaslayerson

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thiscomputer-basedsystem.Itispossibletoaddalayerofinformationtothisdesigntoindicatewhichoftheagriculturalcropsplantedarebeefriendly.Withsuchknowledge,theForageCommissionwillbemuchbetterequippedtosuggeststrategiesforagriculturaldevelopmentintheWesternCapetoincludetheappropriatecovercrops,rotationalfarmingtechniquesandintercropping.These ideasshouldbeexploredfurther.DevelopplantbookexploringbeefriendlyplantsSANBIhasrecentlydevelopedandpublishedabookthatincludesallbeefriendlyplantsthatarefoundin SouthAfrica,Beeplants of SouthAfrica byMF Johannsmeier,with the entire book being freelyaccessiblehttp://biodiversityadvisor.sanbi.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Strelitzia_37_2016.pdfTherightstrategyneedstobeputinplacetobestcommunicatetheexistenceofthisbookanditsworthtoawideraudience.BeefriendlycampaignwithnurseriesAcampaignwillberunwithnurseriesintheWesternCapetoraiseawarenessforbuyingbeefriendlyplants (similartopreviouscampaignsforwater-wisegardening).Tagscanbeputonallplantsthatprovide bee forage and brochuresmay be distributed to customers to explain the advantages ofplantingtheseplants.Thiscampaigncanberolledoutfurthertoincludecreatingawarenessingeneraltowardsbeefriendlyplanting,albeitinprivategardensorforagriculturalpurposes.FeasibilitystudytoimplementamassbeeforageplantingprojectOneofthesuggestionsfromthePTTgroupistoinvestigatethepossibilityofalarge-scaleagro-forestryprojectintheWesternCapeforthemainpurposeofdevelopingforageforbees,butwithanincomealsoderivedfromsecondaryproductsproducedontheland.Thedesignofthisproject,insummary,entailsthefollowing:

• ItissuggestedthataPublicPrivatePartnership(PPP)needstobeestablishedtomanagethisproject.

• State-ownedland,thatisnotprimarilysuitedtotraditionalcommercialagricultureorotherformsofurbandevelopment,willbeidentifiedtouseforthisplantinginitiative.

• Acombinationofcommoditiesthatprovidegoodbeeforage,willbeplantedontheseestates,asperanagro-forestryconcept(multi-productplanting).

• Themainpurposeoftheenterprisewillbetoprovideforage,whichsubscribingbeekeeperscanrentfromthePPP.

• Asecondarypurposeistoproduceagriculturalproductsfromthecommoditiesplanted.Thetypesofcommoditiesthatissuggestedtobeplanted,aswellasproductsthatmaybederived,isindicatedbelow:Table4:Typicalcommoditiesandproductsformassforageplantingproject

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The suggestion is that an in-depth feasibility study should first be conducted to investigate thisopportunity and its likelihood. A more in-depth proposal was created byMr. Robert Post and isavailableforfurtherreadingonthismatter.Thereisaverygoodopportunityatpresenttoassessthistypeofsituation.Some20yearsago,whengumswerefirsttargeted,acommercialbeekeepernamedPaulRansompurchasedlandnearDarling,andplanteditwith>50typesofgumssothatitwouldhaveforagetosustainbeesallthroughtheyear.Itisnowamatureproperty,andcanholdabout800coloniesofbees.Theeconomicsofsuchschemescanbegainfullyinvestigatedbyapropereconomicanalysisofthistestcase.Itwas,however,anticipatedbythegroupthatalthoughthisprojectwillhavegreatbenefitforbeesandbeekeepers,itisprobablyveryunlikelythatlargepiecesoflandfirstlyisstillavailablethatwillbesuitableforadevelopmentofthisscale,andsecondlythatdesigninganagriculturalprojectofthisnatureprimarilyforbeeforageismostlikelynotgoingtoberealistic.Itwillperhapsbemorebeneficialtoinfluencedecision-makingwithregardstoalllandownersbyincentivisingthemtoplantbeeforagethroughtaxrebates,waterlevyrebates,freeplants,etc.TheconclusionoftheforagediscussionisthataForageCommissionneedstobeestablishedsoonerrather than later to further investigateopportunitiesofplanting forage reservesonavailable land(accordingtoCapeFarmMapper)intheWesternCape,aswellasotherplansforincreasingforage.

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OnewouldneedtoconsiderdifferentapproachestowardsforagedevelopmentthroughGovernmentaswellasprivatesector.

Theme2:ResearchandinnovationResearchandinnovationintheSouthAfricanbeekeepingindustryisgoingtobecrucialnotonlyforgeneratingnewknowledgeandskills,butfortheoverallsuccessandsustainabilityofthe industry.Researchbasedonscientificevidenceshoulddrivedecision-makingprocesses.Giventhataviable,healthyandvibranthoneybeepopulationiscriticaltothefoodsecurityanddevelopmentgoalsofSouthAfrica,itiscriticalthataresearchandsupportstructureisinplacetosecureandprotectthiscriticalresource.Issuesthatneedtobeaddressedare:

(1) shouldhoneybeeresearchandsupportbestatefundedandmanaged,orfundedbymeansofcontractresearch;

(2) shouldthishoneybeeresearchandsupportbehousedinanagriculturalparastatalsuchastheAgriculturalResearchCouncil(ARC),inuniversities,ordirectlyinstatedepartments;

(3) shouldhoneybeeresearchbemanagedregionally,ornationally;and(4) giventhatthecurrentcapacityforhoneybeeresearchinSouthAfricaisnearzero,howbest

mightcapacitybedeveloped?

Onceanoutcomeisreachedintermsofthesuggesteddesignofanextendedresearchcomponentandfundingmodel,implementationcantakeupto2yearsandsuchacentrecancostuptoR8millionperyear.MikeAllsoppfromtheARChasdoneextensivebudgetingandplanninginthisregardandhisproposalforhoneybeeresearchisavailableforperusal.

Theme3:RegulatoryframeworkDatabaseofbeekeeperswithDAFFIt is suggested thataproperdatabase shouldbedevelopedofbeekeepers’ information.CurrentlyDAFFkeepsadatabaseofregisteredbeekeepersbutthisdatabaseisbyfarnotcompleteanditisalsonotveryuserfriendly.Itshouldbeautomatedandthemethodofcollectionofinformationshouldbebyanelectronicsystemthatupdatesthedatabaseautomatically.Althoughprosecutionshouldprobablybeconsideredasameanstogetbeekeeperstoregister,thereiscurrentlynocapacityforsuchprosecution.Itisthereforeemphasisedthattheautomationofthisprocess should be seen as a priority in order to free up the time of officials to follow up thosebeekeeperswhofailtoregisterannually.Thefollowingstepsaresuggested:

• Theideashouldfirstbepromotedinordertogetbuy-infromDAFF.• The specific data needs should be determined – what information do we need from

beekeepers?• Itisgoingtobecrucialthatthebeekeepers’bodiessupportDAFFincollectinginformation.

Anycurrentdemandcoming fromDAFFtothebeekeepers formore informationwilldrivebeekeepersawayfromregistration,andawayfromDAFF.Furthermore,anyfurtherdemandforinformationwillbeillegal,unlessthelegislationischanged.

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• Thetenderinstructionsshouldbedevelopedfordesigningandimplementinganautomatedsystemforinformationcollection,capturing,storingandretrieving.

• Thenewsystemcanthenbeimplemented.Industry-leveldatabaseFurthertoDAFF’slistofregisteredbeekeepers,theindustryalsohasaneedformorecompletedetailsofbeekeepersonaNationalbasis. This couldbedoneas a collaborativeeffortbetweendifferentbeekeepers’associationsonProvinciallevel,aswellasSABIOonaNationallevel.LicensingofbeekeepersDuetoSAbees’naturalbehaviour(wildswarms),itisjusttooeasytobecomeabeekeeper.Thereisnobasicformalqualificationrequired.Beekeeperswhodonoteconomicallydependonbeekeeping,aresometimesseentoposearisktocommercialbeekeeperswiththespreadofbeediseasesand“subsidised”productsandservices.Unfortunately,beekeepinginSAisnotwellorganisedandtherearecurrentlynoSETA-accreditedcoursesavailablelocally.Itisenvisagedthatbeekeepersshouldbelicensed in the future (along with their registration with DAFF) once they have completed aqualificationofsomesort.Weunderstandthattheremaybea lotofoppositiontothis,but itwillneverthelessbeavaluableexercisefortheindustry.Thissuggestionwillnotbeactionednow,butitwillremainonthestrategicagendaoftheindustrytoreconsiderinafewyears’time.Furthertothelicensingofbeekeepers,itwasalsoconsideredwhetherweshouldnotalsodriveforforagesiteregistration–inordertogeteachforagesiteintheWesternCaperegisteredandlinkedtoa certain beekeeper (although not necessarily the owner of the land) and specific hives. Siteregistrationandgenerallicensingofbeekeepersmaygohand-in-handinthefuture.Thedecisionwasmade, however, to leave these actions on the agenda for further exploration and not necessarilyaction right away. The first priority remains to increase the ‘forage cake’ before we push for anincreaseinregulationstothisend.IncreasedinspectionandextensionservicesIthasbeenreiteratedingroupdiscussionsthatthereisagreatneedforincreasedcapacityintermsofextensionandinspectionservices.Thereisadifferencebetweenthetwoconcepts(theonebeingmorefocusedoneducatingandsupportingthebeekeeperthroughextensionandtheotherfocusingonregulatingandprosecutingifnecessary).SomemembersofthePTTwereoftheopinionthattheextensionandinspectionservicesneedtobekeptseparate,as,itcannotbethesamepersonthatneedstodelivertheservicethe‘carrotandthestick’.OthersinthePTTfeltthattheservicescouldindeed be integrated, and could also include a beekeeping development component. It isrecommendedthatasuitablestructureforinspection/extensionservicesbethoroughlyandspeedilyinvestigated.ThesuggestionfromthePTT industryrepresentatives isthat6to8peopleshouldbeappointedasextensionofficersonaNationalleveltoassistwithbee-relatedissueswithafocusonextension.4peoplewillbesufficientintheWesternCape.Themainconcernisalackofcapacityasoneextensionofficercurrentlyspends20%ofhistimeonbeesandbeekeeping.Currentlytherearemoreorless80extensionofficersoperatingunderWCDoAin theWestern Cape over all industries.WCDoA suggests that these extension officers should betrained,empoweredandequippedtodeliverthemuch-neededservicetothepublic.However,theindustry does not see this as a plausible solution, and the PTT agreed with this assessment as

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beekeepingextension/inspectionofficialsneedspecialskillstobeabletodeliveraservice,notleastofwhichistheabilityandequipmentneededtoworkwithdangeroushoneybeecolonies.Althoughthegeneralofficershouldhaveverybasicbeeknowledge,hewouldneedtoreferspecialistcasestothe specialist extension officerwhen necessary. These specialist bee extension (and developmentofficers)andwouldneedextensive training tounderstand the finernuancesofapicultureand theintricaciesoftheindustry.Itisenvisagedthatbeeswillnow(aftermuchdeliberation)bemovedinDAFFfromPlantHealthtoAnimalHealth. It is still tobe seenwhether specialistbee inspectorswill beappointedorgeneralinspectorsutilised todo this task. ThePTT is of theopinion that thereneeds tobe specialist beeinspectorsbyDAFF.DAFFneedtoappointinspectorsandbecomemorevisibleongroundlevel.

Theme4:TransformationThe industry realises that, in order to have any meaningful conversations with higher levels ofGovernment, itneedstobeableto indicate itsongoingsupport fortransformationandsee itasavaluablekeytounlockingotherareasofassistance.SAApicultureDevelopmentChamberOneofthemainconcernsisthattheindustrydoesnothaveanyideaofthetruedemographicsoftheindustry.Itisalsoevidentthroughparticipationofsmall-scalebeekeepersinthePTTthattheyoftenexperienceconstraintspertainingtomarketaccess,accesstofunding,etc.It is suggested that the SA Apiculture Development Chamber should be developed to furtherinvestigatetransformationintheindustryandcreateaplatformwhereallbeekeeperscanbebetterintegratedintotheeconomyinawaythatissustainable.Oneoftheconcernsraised,forinstance,isthatthroughempowermentprojectslargenumbersofbeekeepersareprovidedwiththenecessarymeanstostartabeekeepingbusinessbuttheydonotnecessarilyhavethecriticalknow-howtorunsuch a business or the support in terms of a market for their honey and pollination services.Furthermore,theempowermentoflargenumbersofbeekeepersshouldonlybedoneinrelationtotheavailableforageforbees,whichisoftennotthecase.Itisrecommendedthatasurveyisconductedtoestablishhowmanyblackbeekeepersisthere,whatfinancial support they had received, what the impact was on their enterprise and how it can beimprove(Compilationofagoodquestionnaire).ItshouldbeconsideredbytheindustrywhethertheDevelopmentChambershouldtypicallybeabodythatstandsloosefromotherindustryorganisationsorwhetheritshouldbeincorporatedasadivisionofexistingindustrybodies.Thelatterseemstobeamorefeasibleandsustainablesolution.BeekeepingdevelopmentprogrammesIt is uncontested that the development of beekeeping amongst the previously disadvantaged iscruciallyimportanttobeekeepinginSouthAfrica,bothtotransformthebeekeepingindustryandasan empowerment vehicle for poor and destitute SouthAfricans. This has been recognized by thegovernmentintermsofitsupportingamentorshipprogrammecurrentlyoperatedbySABIO,andinterms of a multitude of state-funded beekeeping development programmes. In addition togovernment funded programmes, there have also been many international and business funded

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beekeepingdevelopmentprogrammes.ItisconservativelyestimatedthatfarmorethanR50millionhasbeenspentonsuchprogrammesinSouthAfricainthepastdecade.Theproblemis,thatbyanyreckoning,theseprogrammeshavedeliveredrelativelylittleintermsoftangible,sustainableresults.Thereremainpracticallyzeronon-whitecommercialbeekeepersinSouthAfricaandveryfewoftheexistingdevelopmentprogrammesarefinanciallysustainable.Most(orall)ofsuchprojectsrequirecontinuedfundingfortheirexistenceandcontinuation.SouthAfrica is not alone in this regard - it hasbeen reported thatmore than99%ofbeekeepingdevelopment programmesworldwide fail, or are not sustainable. And yet there have been grandsuccesses,thecompletetransformationoftheTurkishbeekeepingsectorbeingastellarexample.Itissuggestedthatthereasonwhymostsuchprojectsfailisthattheyarepoorlyconceivedandstructured,thattheyareinappropriatelyscaled,andthatareoftendrivenbywoollyfeel-goodsentimentsratherthanbysoundeconomicandagriculturalprinciples.TheARChas longbeen involvedwithbeekeepingdevelopmentprogrammes,with fundingcomingfrommany (primarily government) sources, anddozens of communities having been trained. It issuggestedthattheARCshouldnolongerbedirectly involvedinbeekeepingdevelopmentprojects,but should rather become an advisory service with respect to beekeeping development forgovernmentandotherpotentialfunders,bothinSouthAfricaandelsewhereinAfrica.Specifically,itissuggestedthattheARC:

• Becommissionedtothoroughlyandcriticallyreviewasmanyexistingandpastbeekeeping

developmentprogrammesinSouthAfricaaspossible;determinewhathasworkedandwhathasnotworked;anddevelopablueprintforbeekeepingdevelopmentinSouthAfricabasedonthesefindings;

• Be used to audit and assess continuing or new state funded beekeeping developmentprogrammes (and non-state funded programmes, should they be paid to do so); andcontinuetousethisinformationtorefinethebeekeepingdevelopmentblueprint;

• Actasanadvisorybodyforpotentialgovernmentandotherfunderswishingtobeinvolvedinbeekeepingdevelopmentprogrammes;

• ActtotrainbeekeepingdevelopmentpractitionerswithregardstotheblueprintandhowbesttofacilitatebeekeepingdevelopmentinSouthAfrica;and

• RetainadatabaseonallbeekeepingdevelopmentprojectsinSouthAfrica.

Theme5:GovernanceandstakeholdersApiculturalAdvisoryCouncilIt is suggested that the state actively re-institute an Apicultural Advisory Council to manage theinterestsofhoneybeesandbeekeepersinSouthAfrica.Thiscouncilshouldhaverepresentativesfromorganized beekeeping, development beekeeping, importers, retailers, growers using bees, theconservationsector,honeybeeresearchers,thebeeinspectionservice,DAFF,DTI,DoH,DEAandbeunderthechairmanshipofaseniorDAFFofficial.TheCouncil shouldbeanofficially recognizedbody,advisingthevariousMinisterswithregardstobeekeepingandhoneybeematters,anditsoperationshouldbemanagedandpaidforbyDAFF.All honey bee matters would fall under the ambit of this council, inter alia, research priorities,legislation,beediseasemanagementplans,andthedevelopmentprioritiesandprocedures.Fundingandsupportforactionswillbebothgovernmentandindustrybased,withthelatterfundedbylevies

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(both grower organizations and beekeeper organizations). The government would fund corefunctions,withotherprojectsfundedbyspecialinterestgroups.Averysimilarstructurehasrecentlybeendevelopedtomanagehoneybeesandthebeekeeping industry incountriessuchasAustraliaand the USA (see http://www.rirdc.gov.au/programs/established-rural-industries/honey-bee/honey-bee_home.cfm). ThedifferencebetweentheApicultureAdvisorycouncilandtheBeeForageCommissionisthatthelatterisgoingtobemoretechnicallyfocusedandtheformermoregovernance-focused.Furthermore,theBeeForageCommission is suggested tobeaProvincial bodywhereas theApicultureAdvisoryCouncilwillbeaNationalbody.Table5:BeeForageCommissionversusApiculturalAdvisoryCouncil

Body Typeoffunction Reach

ApicultureAdvisoryCouncil Governancefunction NationalBeeForageCommission Technicalfunction Provincial

ThisconceptwasacceptedbyDAFFinprincipleandthereforethenextstepistopreparefullTermsofReference(tobegiventoDAFFon11August2017).Itwillbebeneficial,comingoutofthisstrategy,thattheWCDoAstatesitssupportforthisNationalbody.ItisfurthersuggestedthattheBeeForageCommission resides under this National body. It could further be suggested that the ApicultureDevelopmentChamber shouldalsobeabody that residesunder theNationalApicultureAdvisoryForum.This governance structurewill benefit the industry going forward as it established clearer links toProvincialaswellasNationalGovernmentsothattheindustrywillbeinabetterpositiontolobbyimportantissueswithGovernmentshouldtheneedarise.Figure6:Developingagovernancestructurefortheapicultureindustry

IndustryunityThisdiscussionaroundgovernance leadsone toa fundamental concern,which is theunityof theindustry.OnlylookingattheWesternCape,wehavethreedifferentbeekeepers’associations:

• WesternCapeBeeIndustryAssociation;• SouthernCapeBeeIndustryAssociation;• KnysnaBeekeepersGroup;and

NationalApicultureAdvisoryForum

ProvincialBeeForageCommission

NationalApicultureDevelopmentChamber

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It should be considered tomerge these associations into one body for the sake of greater unity.Although there are practical concerns in terms of geographical distance between the areas, it ispossibletohavedifferentregionalbranchesofasingleorganisation.Thisissomethingthatthethreebodieswouldneedtoliaiseonandfindacommunalplanfor.ItisfurthermoredebatedwhethersuchanorganisationshouldnotbebasedonCapensisandthereforeincludetheEasternCapebeekeepers.Eachregioncanmeetontheirownbuttherecanbegreaterunityastheyallstillresortunderoneumbrella organisation that is focusing on Capensis. It will further be beneficial to increase themembershipnumberstobemorerepresentativeoftheindustryasawhole.ParkinglotThereareanumberofissuesthatwillnotbeincludedinthestrategyatthispointbutaddedtothe‘parkinglot’forfuturereference.Theseare:

• Marketconsiderations;and• Educationandawareness.

Theseconsiderationsarenotapriorityat thispointandwillbeconsideredata later stageby theindustry.

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5. Thewayforward

StrategymatrixThefollowingstrategicmatrixprovidesahigh-levellookatthedifferentproposedprojectsthatformpartofthestrategy:Table6:Summaryofprojects

Project Responsibilityforexecution

Timelineindication Prioritylevel(1=low;5=high)

Comments

EstablishingaBeeForageCommission

WCDoA Within6months 5 Thisprojectshouldbeseenasnumberonepriorityasthiscommissionwillbeinstrumentalinfurthersuccessfulroll-outofotherprojects.

ExtralayertoCapeFarmMapper

WCDoA,ForageCommission

Within6months 5

Bee-friendlyplantbook

SANBI Withinayear 4 Thisisaquickwin.

Beefriendlycampaign

SANBI,industryroleplayers

Withinayear 4 Thisisaquickwin.

Massforageplantingproject–feasibilitystudy

LedbyForageCommission

Withinayear 5 Thissuggestionisextremelyimportantbutneedsmoreattentionintermsofpackingitoutandfindingthebestapproach.

Studytoinvestigateresearchcentredesignandfundingmodel

LedbyMikeAllsoppincoordinationwithWCDoAandARC

Within6months 5 Thereisadefiniteneedforanimprovedresearchfunctionanditisstronglyrecommendedthatthisprojectshouldbecommissionedsoonerratherthanlater.

AutomationofDAFFdatabase

DAFF Within6months 5 Thiswillbearelativelysmallprojecttoundertakebutwillmakeasignificantdifference.

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Morecompletedatabaseforindustryitself

WCBAtodrivethisprocessviaSABIO

Within12months 5 Thereisaneedforamorecompletedatabasefortheindustryitself,compiledbytheindustry.

Licensingofbeekeepers

DAFF Notintheforeseeablefuture

2 Thisitemwillstayontheagendaforre-evaluationin5-years’time.

Registeringforagesites

DAFF Notintheforeseeablefuture

3 Thisitemwillstayontheagendaforre-evaluationin5-years’time.

Buildingcapacityforbeeextensionservices

WCDoA Within1year 4 The80existingextensionofficersneedtoallreceivebasictrainingintermsofbeekeeping.

Appointing4specialistextensionofficersintheWesternCape

WCDoA Within1year 4 Thereisagreatneedforspecialistextensionofficersthatcandealwiththespecialistbeeissues.

SettingupstructureforBeekeepingDevelopmentChamber

MikeAllsopp(ARC)toincludeintermsofreferenceforApicultureAdvisoryCouncil

Within6months 4 MikeAllsoppisalreadytaskedwithcompilingtheTermsofReferencefortheApicultureAdvisoryCouncil.TheDevelopmentChamberneedstobeasignificantcomponentofthisstructure.

Evaluatingbeekeepingdevelopmentprogrammes

ARC Within1year 4 Beekeepingdevelopmentprogrammesneedanevaluationandrethink.

TermsofReferenceforApicultureAdvisoryCouncil

MikeAllsopp(ARC)towritetermsofreferenceforthiscouncil

Within6months 5 ThisideahasalreadybeenapprovedbyDAFFandshouldbevisiblysupportedbyWCDoA.

IndustryUnity–oneindustryassociationinWesternCape

Threeindustryassociations

Within2years 4 Thisideashouldbeconsideredandweighedupbythedifferentbodiesintheprovince.ItisasuggestionmadebythePTT.

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Continuationoftaskteamforimplementation,monitoringandevaluationIt shouldbenoted thatmanyof theseprojectsmentionedhereare suggestionsat thispoint thatshouldbeconsideredbytheindustrygoingforwardbutthatarenotsetinstone.Thepurposeofthisprocesswastocomeupwithapracticalstrategythatcanpropeltheindustrytowardsitsdesiredgoalsbutitwouldhavetobedrivenbytheindustrytoreachsuccess.Theexecutionandfurtherdevelopmentofthisstrategyisgoingtobecrucialforthesuccessoftheindustry. It is therefore suggested that the PTT should continue tomeet periodically to drive theimplementationoftheagendathatwasnowcreatedthroughthecurrentengagement.The strategy matrix can be used as a dashboard going forward, where project progress can bemeasuredandreported.

Articulate:

Wewanttoachieveanintegratedapproachtowardsasustainablebeepopulation(wildandmanaged)andapiculture–aplantomanagetheresource,thatwillincludeallroleplayers. TheactionsrequiredarearticulatedwellintheStrategyReport.Accordingtothereport,theresponsibilityshouldbesharedbetweenallthedifferentstakeholdersorroleplayers.Proposedactionsandresponsibilitiesaresetoutinsomedetail.

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Comunicate:

Monitor:

Engage:

• Becausetherearesomanydifferentroleplayerstokeepintoaccount,communicationofitscontentsisgoingtobecritical.

• AgrifusionofficiallyhandsthestrategyovertoWCDoAtotakeownershipofitanddecidehowfurthercommunicationisgoingtoberolledout.Thestrategyneedstobeappropriatelycommunicatedto:• Beekeepers• Retailers• Growers• OtherGovernmentlevelsanddepartments• Thewidercommunity

• Inordertoexecuteandkeeponmonitoringtheimplementationofthisstrategy,itisgoingtobecriticalthattheProjectTaskTeam(PTT)continuestoexist.

• Apartfromthedifferentbodiessuggestedintherecommendationsofthereport,oursuggestionisthatthePTTshouldmergeunderWCDoAandgrowstohaveawiderparticipationfromotherstakeholders(especiallyGovernment).

• Thisbodyshouldmeetquarterlyunderasecretarialdesk.Therearespecifictimeframesattachedtotherecommendations,inordertoenabletimeousmonitoring.

Thestrategyasitisnow,shouldbeseenasafluiddocumentthatcanandshouldbeamendedandengagedwithasonemoveswiththetimes.ThisiswhyitisgoingtobecriticalthatthePTTmeetsquarterlyandhasthebackingandsupportofWCDoA Oneofthekeyconcernscomingoutofthestrategyisthelackofunityintheindustryandamongstallroleplayers.ThisneedstobeaddressedthroughtheongoingexistenceofthePTTwithproperGovernmentalsupportandrepresentation.Thisbodythenneedstoengagewiththerestoftheroleplayersasitisnecessary.

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BibliographyAllsopp,MH,Masehela,T.2017.Bees&Pollination:Shouldgrowersbeconcerned?SAFruitJournal,Technology(June2017).Allsopp,MH,DeLange,WJ,Veldtman,R.2013.ValuationofPollinatorForageServicesProvidedbyEucalyptus Cladocalyx. Journal of Environmental Management. [Online]. Available:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2013.03.027Allsopp, MH, De Lange, WJ, Veldtman, R. 2008. Valuing Insect Pollination Services with Cost ofReplacement.PLoSOne,volume3,Issue9(September20008).[Online].Available:www.plosone.orgAllsopp,MH,Veldtman,R.2011.ThePriceofBeingImportant:TheEffectiveManagementofHoneybeesasaCriticalEcosystemService.TheSouthAfricanBeeJournal,December2011.Vol.83,No.4.Allsopp,MH.2015.HoneyBeeResearchinSouthAfricaTurnaroundStrategy2015–2019.Allsopp,MH.2015.ARC–HoneybeeResearchStrategicPlan.AustralianGovernment,Rural IndustriesResearchandDevelopmentCorporation.2012.HoneybeeRD&EPlan,2012–2017.Langenhoven,N.2017.ThestateofbeekeepinginSouthAfrica.Masehela,T,Allsopp,M.2015.Ablossomingcrisis:TheFutureofSouthAfrica’sHoneyBees.Pollination Services Charter, 2017. [Online]. Available: http://www.hortgro-science.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Bee-Charterp-final2.pdfProjectTaskTeam.2017.Minutesofmeetingson28February,28March,25April,and30May2017.ProjectTaskTeam.2017.Inputsfromteammemberstowardstermsofreferenceforpossiblestrategicprojects.SABIO. 2014. Honey bees in South Africa. SABIO Website. [Online]. Available:https://www.sabio.org.za/beecon/.SANBIbrochure.2017.HoneybeesinSouthAfrica–whatlandownerscandotohelp.WCDoA.2017.MediaRelease:PleaserefrainfrombringingbeesintotheKnysnaarea.

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AddendumsAddendumA:TermsofReferenceforthisengagement