Traditional and modern forest based apiculture in Cameroon: how beekeeping is now conducted in the Northwest Highlands forests and Adamaoua savannah forests of Cameroon, the apiculture products produced and the value chain, and environmental aspects of the chain. Presented at the Incubation Study of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature & Heiwa Nakajima Foundation project Workshop, Tokyo office, Kanazawa University, Japan. 28 May 2016

1. Traditional & modern forest based apiculture in
Cameroon
Dr. Verina Ingram
Assistant professor, Forest and Nature Conservation Policy, Wageningen UR
Incubation Study of Research Institute for Humanity and Nature
& Heiwa Nakajima Foundation project Workshop
Tokyo office, Kanazawa University, Japan
28 May 2016
verina.ingram@wur.nl

2. Traditional forest based apiculture in Cameroon
 Study sites Cameroon
 Methods
 Apiculture: how its done
 Apiculture products
 Environmental aspects
 Key references
2

3. STUDY SITES
3

4. Bamenda
highlands
4

5. Adamaoua
savannah
5

6. METHODS
Value chain analysis
• Semi & structured interviews with 702 stakeholder in all stages of the apiculture chain, interviews service
providers & support actors between 2004 and 2011
Participatory action research
• As Executive board member of Guiding Hope and on advisory committee working with Kilim Ijim White
Honey Association (KIWA) for Oku Honey Geographic indication
• SWOTs, Stakeholder analysis, working sessions, Market price tracking, training & capacity building events
Data analysis: SPSS, Excel and qualitatively. Preliminary findings verified & peer cross-checked in meetings
Propolis
• Laboratory tests of extracted propolis (University of Zagreb, Croatia)
Honey
• Botanic assessment: Field observations, literature review, interviews and data from beekeepers, feedback
during SNV Training of Trainers meeting, Bamenda
• Laboratory tests for chemical residues, chemical and physical properties (APPICA, Germany & VIMTA,
India)
• Pollen analysis (APPICA Lab, Germany )
Wax
• Laboratory tests of chemical residues, heavy metals, chemical and physical properties (APPICA, Germany
and VIMTA, India)
6

7. APICULTURE: HOW ITS DONE
7

8. Adamaoua
savanna
Traditional hives
8

9. Bamenda
highlands
Traditional
hives
9

10. “Modern hives’’ adapted KTB
10

11. Collecting bamboo for hive production
11

12. Opportunistic
Higher quantity
propolis
Wild harvest
12

13. Hive products are valuable!
 Honey is the most well
known apiculture product in
Cameroon.
 Other hive products are
either unknown or simply
thrown away as beekeepers
do not realise their values.
 However wax and propolis
can, kilo for kilo, fetch up
to double the market price
of honey, particularly in
international markets
13

14. The bee - tree link
 The physical and chemical properties
of hive products are determined by the
vegetation upon which bees forage.
 Each vegetation type imparts unique
properties to honey, wax and propolis
 The botanic origin can be used to
market not just honey, but all hive
products.
 This provides a ‘unique selling point’,
used to enter new markets,
differentiate products, assure
customers of quality and explain
differences in raw products
Lophira lanceolota Kofia
14

15. Harvesting
15

16. Harvesting
16

17. Traditional and modern
17

18. Beekeeping problems
18

19. APICULTURE PRODUCTS
19

20. Quality control
 Filtering
 HMF
 Record keeping for traceability
Price increases up to 25% for quality honey in urban
markets
Export markets higher price for certified organic
2.50 €/1592 FCFA
20

21. Wax – small scale
21

22. Wax production
22
Traditional small scale method, Northwest

23. Wax production
23

24. 24

25. Wax – large scale production
25
Issues:
 Traditional method, Adamaoua
 Poor quality Smoky & ash particles
 High natural resource use: water and
woodfuel

26. Wax – large scale production
26

27. Wax – new techniques
 European client requirements
promoted changes
 Solar and electrical smelters now
used (Guiding Hope)
 Traceability
27

28. Storage
Issues:
 Dedicated storage to
ensure quality and
contamination by
other products
 Wax moth infestation
countered by storing
in water or wrapping
in plastic
28

29. Guiding Hope Collection center inauguration with village suppliers, Danfili, March 2009
29

30. Propolis
 12 Samples - 3 groups
 Hive Type
 Traditional hives or wild
swarms in tree boles
 Location: Cameroon
 Ngoundal, Adamaoua
 Oku, Northwest
 Bamenda, Northwest
Propolis is a mix of beeswax & resins collected
from plants, particularly flowers, leaf buds and
resins, mixed with saliva and other secretions.
Propolis
30

31.  Up to 35% is extractable with
80% ethanol
 Extracts are rich in;
 Phenols
 Flavonoids
 Extract from Ngoundal (12) is
richest in phenols and flavonoids.
 No differences between extracts
from Adamaoua (24,611) and
Oku (1,5)
Propolis composition
31

32. Antioxidant properties
 1. Antiradical activity
 Extracts 1 and 12 were as effective as
strong antioxidant, BHA
 2. Reducing power
 Dose-dependent for all the extracts
 Extract 12 was the most active
 3. Antioxidant activity in reaction with
-carotene
 Extracts 2 and 6 were as active as BHA
 Activity was related to quantity of phenols
 Extracts from traditional hives were more
active than from tree holes
• No diferrences in activity of extracts from
Oku and Adamoua
32

33. Antimicrobial properties
• Propolis used by bees to protect hive and community
against microbes and invanders
• Ethanol Extracted Propolis used against bacteria, fungi,
viruses
• Best known application via skin or mucous to combat
inflammation and infections and foster local immuno-
system, angiogenic (formation of new vessels), anti-
flogistic, anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic
• Biological activity of propolis influenced by its chemical
composition
• Confirms some traditional knowledge and uses
33

34. Antimicrobial properties
Samples / zones of inhibition (mm)
Microbial
species
Honco Guiding Hope Oku
Honey
Crop
Guiding Hope
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
S.
aureus
0 0 10 10 11 13 12 10 13 10 13 12
B.
subtilis
0 10 10 14 12 0 10 10 13 10 11 10
E. coli 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
P.
aerugini
osa
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
C.
albicans
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Results of diffusion method
Legend: 0= no antimicrobial activity in diffusion method
34

35. Antimicrobial properties
Samples / MICs (mg/mL)
Microbial
species
Honco Guiding Hope Oku
Honey
Crop
Guiding Hope
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
S.
aureus
25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
B.
subtilis
>50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50
E. coli 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 25 12,5 12,5 12,5 25 12,5
P.
aerugini
osa
>50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50 >50
C.
albicans
12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 12,5 25 12,5 12,5 25 25 12,5 12,5
Results of serial macro-dilution method
35

36. Antimicrobial properties
• EPEs found to be antimicrobially active
against Staphylococcus aureus, Candida
albicans and Escherichia coli
• Samples showed relatively similar
antimicrobial activities
36

37. Propolis: Overview
– Rich in phenols
– Valuable source of natural flavonoids
– Excellent antioxidant properties
– Has potential in prevention and therapy of
many diseases e.g. antibacterial , fungicidal,
tissue regeneration and renovation
(dermatological & cosmetic applications)
– A valuable bee product!
37

38. Quality and marketing
 Conducting market research
 Work with government and sector representatives to:
 Gain access for Cameroon to export markets
 Create national standards for honey production & quality
 Establish accountability for apiculture sector
 Obtained Organic, Ethical Trade certification and
Community Trade (Body Shop) for products
 Collective action: formed Cameroon Union of Exporters
of Apiculture Products and Apiculture Interprofession,
Apitrade Africa
38

39.  Processing
39

40. Apiculture
value
chain
products
hiveroyal
jelly ?
wax
honey
propolis
bee
venom ?
drone
juice ?
candles
creams medicines
cosmetics
soap
Wine/
beer
hive
frames
foods
Many api-products unknown
untried
under-used
simple processing
in-demand
those that exist are often of:
low & variable quality
locally sold
poorly labeled
low quality
untested/dubious claims
uncompetitively priced
crafts
polish
40

41. Beekeepers
7 village
beekeeper groups
Ngaoundal
>15 Beer
brewers (local)
Tabeken, Ndu
>15 Processing
companies
EU, USA, SA.
Urban consumers
(>100km from
source)
Bamenda, Bafoussam,
Buea, Ngoundere
Urban consumers
(<450km from source)
Yaounde, Douala
Local
consumers
(within village)
‘> 20
Buy’am sell’ams’
Middlemen
Bamenda, Belo, Oku,
Douala
>10
Supermarkets &
grocery shops
Bamenda, Yaounde,
Douala ,Bafoussam,
Buea
5x 10Market
stalls (urban)
Bamenda, Yaounde,
Douala ,Bafoussam,
Buea
>75 Roadside and
rail side traders
Ngoundal, Ngoundere,
Bamenda, Dschang,
Bafoussam
3 Producer
Co-ops
Bamenda, Belo,
Oku
North West
Adamoua
Cameroon apiculture value chains: Northwest & Adamaoua
4
Producer
shops
Craftspeople
>20 Bamenda,
Foumban
>200 Trad.Medicine
practionners
Oku, Bamenda,
Fundong, Belo,
Yaounde, Douala
12 Processer/traders
Meiganga, Ngoundal
>20 Traders/exporters
Ctrl African Rep, Nigeria, Middle
East
honey
wax propolis
Others
Consumers
(International)
> 5
Importers/processors
Europe, South Africa
>8 Pharmaceutical/
Cosmetic companies
EU, USA
Products
6 intermediary
processer/trader &
capacity builder
Ngoundal, Bamenda,
Yaounde,
Adamaoua
>17,000
North West
>4600
Beer/
wine
41

42. Transport !
42

43. Where the products end up.........
43

44. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
> 50 % of montane forest deforested between 1958 and 1988
Source: http://www.kew.org/gis/projects/oku_cameroon/index.html
Kilum Ijim Forest, Bamenda Highlands
44

45.  Certified organic production (Guiding Hope)
 Developing best beekeeping practices with minimal impact
 Raising awareness of forage sources and harvest (KIWHA,, FAP
ANCO, Berudep, Guiding Hope)
 Forest protection – Kilum Ijim community forests
 Planting & regeneration - hive materials
 Assessing footprint & Environmental Impact Assessment
(Whinconet)
 Reducing fuel inputs and waste streams
 Collaborating with others – learn & share
Environmental aspects
45

46. Botanic assessment
Adamaoua savanna
Woody tropical savannah forest & shrubs (900m to 1500m:
*#Lophira Lanceolata (Kofia), *#Daniella olivera (Kea), *Annona
senegalensis, *Croton macrostachyus, *Psorospermum
febrifugum, *Syzygium guineense, Burkea africana, Terminalia
spp., Combretum molle, Entada abyssinica, Entada africana,
Mimosoideae, Parkia biglobosa, Protea madiensis, Psiliostigma
thonnigia, Prosopsis africana, Pterocarpus erinaceus, Acacia
angustissima, Terminalia molle, Terminalia glaucescan
Harungana, *#Bombax pentandrum L., *Vitellaria paradoxa
(Shea nut), Harungana madagascariensis, $Vitex doniana, $Vitex
madiensis
Valley bottoms, closed semi-deciduous forest:
Aubrevillea kerstingii, Erythrophloeum suaveolens, Chlorophora
excelsa, Khaya grandifoliola, Phyllanthus discoideus;
Swampy valleys dominated by; Syzygium guineense var.
guineense.
Pollen analysis by microscopy:
Accompanying pollen (>15%) 37% relative content:
Combretaceae
Significant isolated pollen (≥ 3%) 9% relative content:
Anacardiaceae, Campanulaceae, Mimosaceae, Acacia,
Myrtaceae, Proteaceae, Rutaceae, Zanthoxylum-T 46

47. Afromontane cloud forest; Kilum-Ijim
Highly biodiverse montane & semi montane tropical cloud forests (1600m
to 3000m): Maesa lanceolata, Podocarpus latifolius, Gnidia glauca,
Rapanea melanophloeos, Solanecio mannii; Montane mixed forest (2100m
to 3000m): Milletia conraui, Markhamia lutea, Schefflera abyssinica,
Schefflera barteri, Schefflera manii, Maesa lanceolata, Nuxia congesta,
Albizia gummifera, Syzgium guineense, Syzgium staudii, Croton
macrostachyus, Maesa lanceolata, Pittosporum viridiflorum, Solanecio
mannii, Rapanea melanophloeos, Prunus africana, Carapa grandifolia,
Syzygium guineense, Maesa lanceolata; Montane woodland: Erica mannii,
Gnidia glauca, Maesa lanceolata, Hypericum revolutum; Mature alpine
bamboo: Maesa lanceolata, Gnidia glauca, Pittosporum viridiflorum; Open
woodland/ scrubland: Gnidia glauca, Maesa lanceolata, Hypericum
revolutum. Canarium schweinfurthii
Pollen analysis by microscopy:
Main pollen (>45%) none. Accompanying pollen (>15%) 27% relative
content: Zanthoxylum (Tomtom/Ebotom, Bongo, Elelongo) %, Coffea 27%,
Eucalyptus 23%. Significant isolated pollen (≥ 3%) 15% relative content:
Aster, Acanthaceae, # Balsaminaceae (Impatiens), #Chenopodiaceae
(Chenopodium),#Compositae (Vernonia colorata), Gramineae, Myrtaceae,
Palmae (Elaeis), Salicaceae (Salix), Thymeleaceae (Daphne)
Symbols
# species used locally and
internationally for medical properties of
their barks, roots and leaves
*melliferous species
$ pollen rich species.
Botanic assessment
47

48. Northwest and Southwest Highlands
• 107 local and endemic species
•63 agroforestry and agricultural
species
•3 bee hating species!
Anona sengelensis, Chinipodium sp.,
Afromomum spp (Gorilla food, wild ginger)
• 4 species known to produce
granulated / crystallized honey
Croton macrostachyus , Sheffleria mannii,
Scheffleria abysinnia and Vocassa grass
Botanic assessment
48

49. Agro-ecological
zones
Cameroon
white
montane
savannah
gold
highlands
49

50. Profiling Cameroon honeys
 No standards and little consumer
understanding (*consumer
interviews) of why there are different
honey characteristics
 Confusion between quality,
geographic & botanic origins and
processing/production
 Contrast to EU where criteria to
classify and address producer and
consumer misunderstandings
 Increasing use of classifications in
Cameroon since 2008
50

51. Community reforestation bamboo and raffia, Adamoua
Afforestation
51

52. guidinghope@yahoo.fr
www.guidinghope.com
“Pa” Paul Nzegha Mzeka,
Director, Apiculture and Nature Conservation Organization
UN Forest Hero 2011
52
Award wining practices

53. Geographic indication: Oku honey
http://www.cirad.fr/en/news/all-news-items/press-releases/2013/geographic-indications
53

54. Key references
 Erasmus, T., D. Hamaljoulde, J. Samaki, M. T. Njikeu, G. M. Nyat & R. Howard (2006), Honey and bee products market
study. Bamenda, Cameroon: Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) Highlands Team: 61.
 Howard, R. (2005), The options and aspirations of a collective of beekeepers in Cameroon. Masters in Social Anthropology
Masters, Edinburgh University, Scotland.
 Ingram, V. (2016). Savanna forest beekeepers in Cameroon: Actions to reduce vulnerability. Dryland Forests: Management
and Social Diversity in Asia and Africa. P. Bose and H. van Dijk, Springer: XXIII, 167.
 Ingram, V. (2014). Win-wins in forest product value chains? How governance impacts the sustainability of livelihoods based
on non-timber forest products from Cameroon. Leiden, African Studies Centre.
 Tsafack Matsop, A. S., G. Muluh Achu, F. Kamajou, V. Ingram and M. Vabi Boboh (2011). "Etude comparative de la
rentabilite de deux types d'apiculture au Nord Ouest du Cameroun." Tropicultura 29(1): 3-7.
 Ingram, V. (2016). Savanna forest beekeepers in Cameroon: Actions to reduce vulnerability. In Dryland Forests:
Management and Social Diversity in Asia and Africa. Eds. P. Bose and H. van Dijk. Netherlands: Springer.
 Ingram, V. and J. Njikeu (2011). "Sweet, Sticky and Sustainable Social Business." Ecology & Society 16(1): 37.
 Ingram, V. (2011). Case study. Apiculture de foret – Cameroun. La pratique de la gestion durable des terres - Directives et
bonnes pratiques pour l’Afrique subsaharienne. H. P. Liniger, R. Mekdaschi Studer, C. Hauert, M. Gurtner. Berne,
Switzerland, TerrAfrica, World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) and Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO): 204-205. http://www.wipo.int/ipadvantage/en/details.jsp?id=5554
 Ingram, V., M. Z. Koncic and I. Kosalec (2010). The science behind hive products. SNV-WCA Forestry Knowledge Network
Event: Generating and sharing knowledge, lessons and good practice in apiculture, Foumban, Cameroon, SNV/FAO.
 Papachroni, D., K. Graikou, I. Kosalec, H. Damianakos, V. Ingram and I. Chinou (2015). Phytochemical analysis and
biological evaluation of selected African propolis samples from Cameroon and Congo. Natural Product Communications
10(1): 67-70.
 Ingram, V. (2009). "Bees, trade - and success." KILIM Magazine on Low External Input and Sustainable Agriculture 1(1):
24-26.
 Tchana, M. (2010), The action of beekeeping CIGs in Cameroon and the problematic of ethics, fair trade and sustainable
development. The case of CIG Guiding Hope. Masters in Development and International Relations Masters, Protestant
University of Central Africa.
Photo credits: Rebecca Howard, Jaap van der Waarde, Verina Ingram 54