Developing database and technical training for young beekeepers Update for 2013: UBA-RS has prepared a project proposal for 2013 till feb 2014. The project will be continued  in the same directions, covering the completion of the database: data collection of beekeepers having 50+ beehives in four remaining regions; cadastre of pastures and phonological map.. This means to continue the work started in 2012 (progress was less than expected). 
In order to increase the production per beehive UBA RS would like to focus more on the larger and more professional beekeepers this year and organize professional lectures for this target group. Around 1000-1500 beekeepers will be reached with this activity. For a group of 60 beekeepers a study tour will be organized to neighbouring countries.
A challenge is alos how BiH beekeepers can entre the EU market, as the market is now open for bee products. 
 Active participation in international event will support UBA-RS in expanding its network. This year, UBA-Rs will organize an international symposium itself.





The UBA-RS has 55 municipality associations as its members, representing 2.790 individual members of which.90% are paying the membership fee. Four percent of the members are women (about 100 members). 
 
Main objectives of the UBA-RS are:
-	Protecting, improving and propagandizing of beekeeping, environment protection, establishing, joining and organizing beekeepers` and other organizations, beekeepers` and other associations and trading of healthy bee products and regulating and improving the relationship between bodies and institutions of the Republic and Union. 
-	To provide all beekeepers and beekeeping organizations, especially its members with continual widening of professional and scientific knowledge and the exchange all important information, expressing and suitable valorization of knowledge and its influence on the educational, social-economic, economic and scientific development of the Republic of Srpska and the influence on the development of science and practice in the field of beekeeping and environment.


This particular project is has the following objectives; 


1.	Improve the production of bee products, in terms of quality and quantity and continuity in RS and BiH through concise and systematic data collection (database); data interpretation and undertake focused actions  based on the analysis of the data 
2.	To educate young beekeepers, including women, and train them to become professional beekeepers will result in higher production of bee products and provide them income and work

Specific aims 
1.	Systematic overview (base line) of the beekeeping sector in RS , including cadastral phonological data to avoid overpopulation and support beekeepers selecting good beekeeping pastures/areas
2.	Monitor weak beekeepers and support improving their practices by using the database in regions
3.	To prepare the beekeeping sector in RS to meet with international quality standards of bee products, so exporting will become easier in the future 
4.	Better control of bee diseases resulting in a higher production and a better quality of bee products
5.	Well trained young beekeepers will properly manage the beehive, avoid spreading of diseases and make a living out of beekeeping

Expected results (for 2012):
1.	Relevant beekeeping data of 1400 beekeepers in 4 regions have been entered in a database and linked with cadastral phonological data
2.	1400 beekeepers will improve their beekeeping practices resulting in 5%-10% production increase, making use of the database (measurable after 2012) 
3.	Bee diseases will go down (only measurable after 1-2 years) 
4.	Increased competitiveness in the (inter) national market, better bargaining position
5.	160 young beekeepers practice beekeeping and produce on average 50-60 kg honey in 2013 per person (depending on season)

Background: 
Bosnia-Herzegovina is one of the three CEN countries eligible for receiving a grant of the IFAD –AgriCord large grant agreement no. 1243 policy: Linking Farmer Organizations in selected countries of the CEN region to domestic and international markets, resulting in better access to markets and higher incomes for smallholder farmers; empowerment of FO members and stronger partnerships with agri-agencies.

Agriterra, being the implementing agency of this third component of the large grant agreement 1243, was introduced to UBA-RS (through IFAD) in September 2011. After screening according to Agriterra policies, UBA-RS was accepted as a prospect for Agriterra in November 2011. In November 2011, Agriterra financed a mission composed by two representatives of the Dutch Beekeepers Association visited UBA-RS to further discuss  possibilities for future cooperation and make an assessment of UBA –RS and its members associations. The findings of this mission were positive and some recommendation for future cooperation were given. The mission recommended a.o. to conduct beekeeping schools; support the database at the regional level; and technical training for professional beekeepers.  NBV expressed its interest to cooperate with UBA-RS on specific topics. 


The project has two components; 
1. Establish a beekeeping database at sub national level
2. Training rural youth in beekeeping and offer them practical skills and opportunities to start entrepreneurial activities in rural areas. 

The general aim of the database is:
• Support the creation of conditions for serious production and sales of bee products, as well as the increase of margin in beekeeping sector.
• To create conditions for increasing productivity and quality of the beekeeping sector in RS and BiH. 
• Enable experts in beekeeping at any time to obtain the true situation in the beekeeping sector, which will allow seriousness in terms of planned quantities of honey collection and negotiations with interested buyers.

Justification of the project
In the area of the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina, there is no beekeeping database. Developed countries of the EU as well as the neighboring Slovenia and Croatia, have created beekeeping databases. The database is the first step towards solving many problems in the beekeeping sector of the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The lack of accurate data on the number of beekeepers, the number of beehives, the amounts of honey produced, bee diseases represent recklessness of one sector of agriculture. Lack of quality and measurable indicators prevent progress of any agricultural sector, including beekeeping. Integrating all data from the area of RS will enable a true picture of beekeeping and consequently we can decide to what extent the sector should be supported in order to be competitive in the global market. Big problems, such as: the problem of disease, the use of controlled substances for the protection of bees, the quality problem, the problem of sales as well as a problem of serious applying for donor funds from EU pre-accession funds will be solved through this database. The database will be useful not only for the Union of associations of beekeepers, but also to all other interested parties.

1.	Improve the production of bee products,in terms of quality and quantity and continuity in RS and BiH through concise database 
2.	To educate young beekeepers, including women, to professional beekeepers will result in higher production of bee products and provide them income and work