SVG Beekeepers Association holds 4th Annual General Meeting

In keeping with their constitution, 23 members from mainland St Vincent and from Bequia converged on the conference room of the Forestry Headquarters, Campden Park, on April 12, 2016, for the 4th Annual General Meeting {AGM} of the SVG Beekeepers Association.

President Beverly Reddock called the meeting to order at approximately 10:45 a.m. and proceeded to guide the meeting through a 13-item agenda:{{more}}

Yvonne Bonadie, secretary treasurer, presented the Minutes of the 3rd AGM and reported on the financial status of the association.

President Reddock, in her report to the meeting, outlined the main activities of the association for the period under review. These included technical training for young prospects now attending the SVG Technical College, and members who wished to become proficient in the rearing of queen bees. She also brought members up-to-date with the progress of the project: “Growth and Sustainable Development of Beekeeping in SVG,” which received part funding from the Australian Direct Aid Programme. Members were informed that the executive negotiated and purchased the inventory of beekeeping supplies from Shepherds Limited, a company which is now part of the new entity One St Vincent Group Inc (OSV Group). The association is now the main supplier of beekeeping paraphernalia in SVG.

Agenda items 8 and 9 were covered by Allan Williams, Ministry of Agriculture resource person to the apiary industry in SVG. His report on the status of the industry in SVG reminded the meeting of the following:

No. of beekeepers in SVG: 64

No. of apiaries: 45

No. of colonies in those apiaries: 550

Estimated honey production in 2015: 1,138 gallons {505 cases 750 ml bottles}

Honey production value: $273,000 XCD

Estimated annual national honey consumption/demand: 1,600 gallons valued at $384,000 XCD

Markets exported to: Barbados, Canada, Antigua

Other potential markets: Martinique and UK

Estimated start-up cost for a beginner: $2,100 XCD

Retail price for national honey: $40-$55 XCD for a 750 ml bottle.

Williams reported on the components of the project, noting that the queen rearing component will be coming on stream very shortly.

President Reddock presided over the election of Frauvaun Campbell to the vacant post of assistant secretary treasurer.

The members then participated in a discussion on some critical issues for the way forward for the association.

Among the upcoming events will be the Caribbean Beekeepers Conference, to be hosted by Tobago, and a visit to SVG of a Canadian beekeeper with expertise in queen bee rearing in April 2016.