A training for young beekeepers in the Bregalnica river basin was organized

After applying at the public competition published by the Nature Conservation Program in Macedonia, 18 future beekeepers were selected (out of whom 6 were women), from different parts of the region, who attended a 3-months training for young beekeepers in Kochani.  All participants of the training were young unemployed persons who believe they can create their own livelihood through beekeeping.

The training was organized in 10 modules, and every module consisted of a theoretical and practical part, and the participants were completely familiarized with the basics of beekeeping.

The training was organized by two educators – experienced beekeepers from the region, and the program for the training was prepared in cooperation with the Swiss expert Ruedi Ritter.

For the needs of these training a demonstration apiary was established with 54 bee families and every participant of the training was taking care of 3 bee families.  At the end of the training, every participant took these 3 bee families to their own location with which they started their own beekeeping activities.  At the end, NCP provided equipment for every participant and the young beekeepers will use it in carrying out their everyday duties in their own beehives.

At the end of the training, every one of the participants acquired a certificate for the training for young beekeepers.

This type of training is being implemented for the first time in the Bregalnica Region, with which the NCP directly contributes to having educated beekeepers who through sustainable use of the nature will start and promote their business.  Also, with the implementation of this training program, the NCP wants to underline the importance of the Macedonian indigenous bee Apis mellifera macedonica as an integral part of the Macedonian beekeeping traditions.