ENPI-FLEG

In one of the villages, which are very close to each other, there is an expert in bee keeping, Mr. Murman Tabukashvili who is well known for his high-quality honey. He expressed his will to cooperate in the project and support other local people in establishing of their own businesses. Mr. Tabukashvili hopes that his village will became the destination point for people willing to buy good honey. “To people who are interested in the development of honey making businesses in the village, I would like to say that everything is possible”, he said.

After the planning, the project implementation was carried out and an announcement on the trainings in bee keeping was made. All interested people were invited to participate.

The training was conducted by Mrs. Darejan Baliashvili, Professor from the Scientific-Research Institute of Bee Keeping on July 20. 15 participants attended the training, including experienced and beginner bee keepers. The topics of the training included issues related to bee families, characteristics and functions of each bee in the family, bee biology, reproduction and development, as well as those related to different bee products, honey production, care and keeping. Issues concerning taking care of bees in spring and autumn seasons, feeding them in winter, and drugs that are necessary for each bee farm were also included in the training agenda. Participants received all the materials necessary for final examination that was conducted on August 12. The winners were identified based on the examination’s results as well as on the criteria related to their motivation and readiness to pursue honey making business. On August 17 the award ceremony took place and 5 winners of the competition – two people from Tadzrisi and three from Sakire – were awarded each with one bee family and a hive. Mrs. Darejan Baliashvili attended the event and gave instructions to each winner on specific bee keeping issues.

“I am happy to be the winner of this project. I am very interested in this business and I am planning to develop it more and more. I plan to add three more bee families next year and transform my yard into a bee farm” – said Mr. Malkhaz Gogoladze from the village Tadzrisi.

“I learned a lot during the training. I want to do bee keeping and add more and more bee families in the future. My father and brother are supporting me in this” – said the youngest winner, 16 years old, Nodar Kapanadze.

All the beneficiaries will receive the tools for bee keeping and honey production, as well as medications for seasonal disease prevention treatment.

To ensure the long-term sustainability of the project and to support beneficiaries in honey production, a contract was signed with Mr. Murman Tabukashvili according to which a honeycomb apparatus was purchased and assigned to him. Mr. Tabukashvili will be responsible to produce honeycombs, free of charge, upon request and with the material of the beneficiaries. All participants were also able to benefit from four days training in general business/marketing issues.

For more information on the project please contact Mr. Irakli Tekturmanidse, from TBSC Consulting, the implementer organization of the pilot projects This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and Ms. Ekaterine Otarashvili from IUCN/ENPI FLEG: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .