The Grenada Association of Bee-keepers (GAB) which started in October of 1998 with fourteen members now enjoys a membership of fifty, including 9 women. The Association is housed in the Ministry of Agriculture building in St. Andrew’s and employs one officer, this development from 2002 aids in the coordinating, strengthening and development of the organisation.

 

It is believed that the honey bee was introduced in Grenada around 1688. The introduction of different bees occurred in Grenada at different times. The German bee Apis melifera also locally called Black bees was one of the earlier introductions. It is widely believe that the Italian bee Apis melifera ligustica, was introduced to Grenada from the 1940’s by beekeeper Aubrey Blackburn of Sauteurs, St. Patrick’s who imported bees from Walter T. Kelly Company, USA. Bee-keepers have been steadily importing Queen mainly from the U.S.A. Most imported bees have been Italian, with less imports of Starline. The hybridisation of imported bees with local ones has resulted in highly productive colonies through out the island.

 

Information on bee-keeping was obtained from expatriates, particularly catholic priest. From 1993 there has been renewed interest in bee-keeping with young bee-keepers entering the industry. Organisation such as the Agency for Rural Transformation (ART), National Development Foundation (NDF) and the Inter-American Institute for co-operation on Agriculture (IICA) has been instrumental in this revival.

 

Pest and Disease

 

Grenada is considered relatively free from all the major pest and disease. However inspection confirmed the presence of Verroa mite in early 1992. It is believed that the pest was introduced by imported bee probably from1991 - 1992. Over the last five years bee-keepers have not reported any significant losses as a result of the mite infestation. However, this status could be misleading, as it may well have consider with the aggressive expansion programme, the increase of Queen and the production of local Queen, and the absence of recording bee-keeping and information from bee-keepers.

A survey is necessary to study and analyze the Verroa mite status in Grenada. Other pest of importance is wax moth which was of economic importance in the presiding month after hurricane Ivan.

 

Sources of Nectar and Pollen

 

The main sources of nectar and pollen are:

• Mango
• Coconut
• Citrus
• Glory-Cedar
• French Cashew
• Golden apple
• Hog plum
• Skin-up (Genip)
• Pigeon peas
• Corn
• Avocado
• Guava
• Log wood
• Mexican creeper