THE BEEKEEPER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM



BY LA RUCHE D'OR



BEE-ECONOMY





We need Good Beekeepers



Every season, pollination from honey bees, native bees, and flies delivers billions of dollars in economic value. Between $235 and $577 billion of annual global food production relies on their contribution.


But then, bee populations have been declining for several years as a result of a range of factors, such as deadly mites, habitat destruction, use of pesticides, and of course, climate change. Due to an increase in demand and honey shortages, we see a proliferation of fake-honey - almost 30% of global honey market. This has a negative impact for the beekeepers.


With the loss of revenue, increase in costs, and competition from fake* honey, beekeepers can hardly sustain a livelihood for themselves. This makes the honey business unattractive for the new generations. We aim to change the dynamic.


*Did you know that honey is the third-most-fake food in the world?



Let’s start with FAIR PRICE.





By recognising the value of the work of the beekeepers, we seldom discuss the price of the honey sold to us unless the differential is very wide. By giving the beekeepers their requested price, even if it is above the market price, we put people before profit.


Both parties need to be comfortable, and trust needs to be built over time. This little step shows the value and reward generated from their work.


If the income generated starts to be sufficient to cover the needs of the household, the beekeepers can focus on producing quality honey while improving their techniques and gaining knowledge. In each country we have one main partner, maximum two (2), that we work with to buy the honey.



La Ruche D’Or BEEKEEPING Development Fund





10% of the profit from each Mipette sold from honey collected in the country is contributed to that country's beekeeping development fund.


The main country partner will choose or set up a non-profit organisation that aims to train beekeepers for free. The funds should allow the development of infrastructure, create a testing lab, pay the trainer for the centre, and promote the centre for both the development of youths as well as adults, wishing to be the next generation of beekeepers.


Our only request is that only sustainable beekeeping techniques are to be used that respect to the well-being of the bees. Each year, the non-profit organisation will submit an independently audited report that will be published to show the progress. The program must be auditable at any time by a third party.



New trained Beekeepers, what is next ?





In situation where aspiring new beekeepers do not have the initial capital to set up a bee farm, our main partner will provide the initial material and support to start the bee farm, and in return, the producers will sell the honey at a fair price to be sold to us.


The main partner can deduct the initial cost from the generated revenue. This way, we increase the production of good-quality honey while empowering communities and developing employment. The newly trained beekeepers will always have access to the training centre and stay updated all the time. .



International Exchanges, Exhibitions and Forums



La Ruche d'Or Promotion & Marketing team will keep tab of all relevant international exchange platforms or forums that relate to beekeeping and honey matters and inform all partners and business associates accordingly.


For international exhibitions in which La Ruche d’Or participates, invitations will be given to our key partners. Every two years, La Ruche d'Or will organise for its community to visit a host country where a forum will be organised. The host country will then co-organise activities and competitions.



A ROADMAP TO EMPOWER PEOPLE AND PRESERVE THE PLANET
by La Ruche d’Or



FOLLOW OUR JOURNEY




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