Addis Ababa - The Ethiopian Apiculture Board, the first of its kind of organisation in Ethiopia was launched on February 6, 2009 at the UN Economic Commission for Africa Conference Centre in Addis Ababa.
86 participants representing key players from all segments in the honey and other bees’ products value chain, including private sector, beekeepers unions and associations, government agencies and NGOs came together to formally establish the umbrella organisation of the apiculture sector in Ethiopia. Representatives from the Embassy of Italy and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, ICCO, JICA and the Norwegian Development fund participated in the launch.
The State Ministers from the Ministry of Trade and Industry and from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development opened the event. Both State Ministers pledged the support of their respective offices towards the apiculture sector in general and to the Board in particular. They also commended SNV’s support to the sector.
The Board will be the legal body representing the sector, promoting and safeguarding its interests. It is a multi-stakeholder platform that will coordinate development efforts within the value chain and promote collaboration among the different actors in the chain. The Board is seen as a platform for public-private partnership, where policy issues can be discussed and agreed upon.
Hailegiorgis Demissie, owner of Bezamar Agro-Industries, a honey and beeswax processor and exporter was elected as Chairperson of the Board. Ayalew Kassaye from the Ethiopia Beekeepers Association was elected Vice Chairperson. Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development accepted to be Patron to the Board. Following the principle of good governance, the Executive Committee was elected from different segments of the apiculture chain.
The Apiculture Board was conceptualised during the International Seminar on Honey in held in Addis Ababa in January 2007. During that seminar a steering committee was formed to prepare the concept, draft the constitution and organise the first General Assembly. In April 2008, the Steering Committee requested assistance from SNV Support to Business Organisation and the Access to Markets programme (BOAM) with the formation of the Board. SNV BOAM supported the whole process through advisory services as well as fund support for the organisation of the first General Assembly. SNV Ethiopia sees the Board as part of the exit strategy for the BOAM Program. The Honey Value Chain Coordination Group will soon be merged within the structure and activities of the Board.