Contents

Project Background ............................................................................................................................................. 4

Project Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5
1 The following activities were conducted during the reporting period to achieve the defined milestones
as follows: ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
1.1 Baseline Assessment Survey ............................................................................................................... 5
1.2 Identification and Selection of Beekeepers ......................................................................................... 6
1.3 Identification and Hiring of Trainers .................................................................................................... 6
1.4 Inter-Regional Exposure Visit .............................................................................................................. 8
1.5 Advertisment for Procurement of Beehives & Production Kits ............................................................ 9
1.6 Distribution of Beehives ...................................................................................................................... 9
1.7 Distribution of Production Kits ............................................................................................................ 9
1.8 Follow-up/Monitoring Visits to Project Areas ...................................................................................... 9
2.1 Developing Strong Linkages with Local, National and International Market ...............................................11
2.2 3-Day Value Chain Development Training .................................................................................................12
3.1 2-Day Session on the Importance of Education .........................................................................................12
3.2 2-Day session on Income Utilization/Improved Nutrition and Basic Healthcare .........................................12
Annexure I ......................................................................................................................................................15
Annexure II .....................................................................................................................................................16

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Project Summary

To develop sustainable enterprises, where capacity enhancement and support through

Project Goal
market linkages is provided to communities
Project Title Plan Bee Chitral - Replication of Micro-Enterprise Model of Honey Bee Farming
Project Area Garamchashma Valley, Chitral, KPK

Reporting Period April - September 2017

Project Duration April 2017 - March 2018

Key Indicators
KPI 1: Sustainable honey bee social enterprises established and strengthened by 2017-2018
KPI 2: Women Business Groups (WBGs) strengthened in market linkaging skills
KPI 3: Community women sensitized through awareness raising sessions
Quarter Activities as per Approved Project Plan
Baseline Assessment Survey
Identification and selection of 31 beekeepers for training
Formation of Woman Business Groups/Woman Enterprise Groups
Identification and hiring of trainers for honey bee farming training
7-days honey bee farming training
Inter-regional exposure visit
Advertisment for procurement of beehives & production kits
Distribution of beehives to trained business groups
Distribution of production kits to trained business groups
Follow-up/Monitoring visits to project areas
Developing strong linkages with local, national and international market
3-days Value Chain Development (VCD) training
2-days session on the Importance of Education
2-days session on Income Utilization/ Improved Nutrition and Basic Healthcare

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Project Background
Honey is a consumable product which is also used extensively in making Ayurvedic medicines. Pure natural honey
production is a profitable activity. It is a product with all year demand, and has the potential to provide a stable
income for families in the rural areas. Certain crops can yield honey for the beekeeper as well as benefit from the
pollination activities of the bees. Therefore, the beekeeping complements well with other agricultural and rural
development projects. There are many locations in the Northern part of Pakistan where honey bee farming can
be produced through very simple mechanisms. One of them, is to keep movable wooden frames i boxes
(beehives). For this purpose, boxes are placed in locations where the floral conditions are ideal for honey
production and the beehives are then spread with honey spice to attract honey bees. These bees leave fresh
honey sucked from flowers in the cells of the honey-comb provided in the beehives. When these cells are full of
honey, they are hermetically sealed and capped with wax. Then, the honey is extracted from these cells. Freshly
extracted honey is warm and easy to bottle. Undergoing proper training for extraction and bottling is essential.
Honey bee farming is a profitable business activity that can promote the local economy.

The Plan Bee project funded by Chapelwood Foundation and a group of donors supporting women empowering
in Chitral (via razoo) is being implemented by Hashoo Foundation (HF) in Garam Chashma, a vulnerable and
impoverished area in the North West of Chitral City in KPK.. Due to harsh weather conditions, this area is
frequently hit by natural disasters. Additionally, the land of this area is not suitable for cultivating wheat; only
potatoes and peas are grown here which are the only sources of livelihood. HF-team conducted a Baseline Survey
to assess the prevailing socio-economic condition of the selected women. The analysis of the data revealed that
the women are more susceptible to fall under the poverty line due to the lack of access to economic activities,
despite the fact that the local area is abundant in entrepreneurial avenues. Most of the households were found
to be earning below PKR 10,000 (US $ 95) per month. The majority of the interviewed women entailed joint family
system, and 79% of them are unemployed, only a small number of individuals generate income through which
they can hardly fulfill their daily life necessities. Therefore, there is a tremendous disparity between the income
earned and the expenses.

Chitral is a region in Pakistan that has great resources and potential, but remains highly neglected in terms of poor
socio-economic indicators. This region has been affected by several disasters in the last 20 years. Women's social
interaction and participation in the local economy have been affected by these recurring disasters. Due to the
conservative culture and traditional customs of these communities, women face unequal access to basic rights
and opportunities, which leads to lack of confidence and participation in decision making. HFs Plan Bee provides
an opportunity for the women and girls of Chitral to gain the needed training in honey bee farming to enable them

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to earn a decent livelihood to support themselves and their families. Thus, creating an enabling environment for
their social economic empowerment.

Project Introduction
The project titled Plan Bee Chitral Replication of micro-enterprise model of honey bee farming in Chitral (KPK)
started in April 2017. It is a one year project with an expected end date of March 2018. The project is funded by
Chapelwood Foundation and Donors Supporting Plan Bee Empowering Women in Chitral (via razoo).

A total of 31 women benefit directly from this project through training, equipment and beehives provision, while
the family member of these women will get indirect benefits regarding financial support, access to education,
meet household expenses and other livelihood related items.

Direct Beneficiaries: 31 women

Indirect Beneficiaries: 217 men, women & children

The selected women beneficiaries were trained in honey bee farming and actively participated in the formation
of a beekeepers group named Shining Star Honey Association.

The project was implemented in partnership with Hayat Rukhon Honey that assisted Hashoo Foundation in
training and other project activitites.

Project Activities

1 The following activities were conducted during the reporting period to achieve the
defined milestones as follows:
1.1 Baseline Assessment Survey
The Baseline Survey was conducted in the selected area to assess the pre-existing socio-economic conditions of
the region as a guiding parameter to identify and select potential women trainees. The following key aspects were
the focus of the survey: experience in honey bee farming, income scale per month, the total household earning
members, average number of dependents at the household level, etc.

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Figure 1: Session with the women during the gatering of baseline information in village Bashqer Garam Chashma Tehsil Lotkuh District
Chitral

After conducting the survey, the team reached the following conclusions:

Majority of the women are from low-income families hardly managing their expenses.
Expenditure is higher as compared to the income earned, and many sell their livestock to fill this gap.
Income/expenditure pattern is very fragile.
Level of unemployment is high. The majority of the women living in a joint family system are single earning
member.
Significant portion of the income is allocated to purchase food items and to bear education expenses of
children. Due to poverty, their children cannot continue to get a higher education and get dropped out
from school and college.

1.2 Identification and Selection of Beekeepers

After the identification of potential trainees, 31 deserving women were selected as the project beneficiaries and
a Woman Business Groups/Woman Enterprise Group was formed will the support of Hayat Rukhon Honey
Association (HRH) to ensure a close coordination in the post-project phase.
List of selected trainees is provided as Annexure I.

1.3 Identification and Hiring of Trainers

A professional master trainer, Mr. Hayat Muhammad Iqbal, the Chairman of Hayat Rukhon Honey Association,
was identified and hired to conduct the honey bee farming training. A MoU was signed between HF and the
trainer.
Hashoo Foundation has implemented successful honey bee farming projects for a decade and has developed
rapport and strong working relation with professionals involved in this sector. Based on the past experience and
the proposed project, a seven days honey bee farming training was arranged for the trainees during the first
quarter of the project. The trainer used lectures, discussion, question/answer, charts, diagrams and group work
methods for more understanding. Each day followed by the assessment of the previous day highlights to restore

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memories and ensure continuation. Fieldwork was also organized for a practical demonstration. At the end of the
workshop, the participants were asked to give their feedback on the arrangements and methods used by the
trainer.

Figure 2 Seven days training on honey bee farming

The following topics were covered during the seven days training:

Beekeeping sustained livelihood for rural women.

Honey bee biology and its behaviors.
Honey bee colony organization, site selection for apiary and apiary management.
Different types beehives and its management.
Attracting bee to enter hives and shifting of colonies.
Tools used in beekeeping.
Winter and summer management of beehives in GB & Chitral context
Basic management techniques
Common honey bee pests & their control
Honey bee diseases
The concept of biological control

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Identification of disease in a colony and controlling measures
Swarming and its behavior
Swarming preparation, management, controlling, capturing and removal
Role of the honey bee as pollinators
Important bee floras of the area
Some important honey bee farming by-products

1.4 Inter-Regional Exposure Visit

An Inter-regional exposure visit was arranged for the trainees to provide them an opportunity to interact with
other beekeepers from different areas of Chitral. On the 4th day of the seven-day training, the trainees were
taken to Joghor in Chitral town where they met with successful honey bee entrepreneur and supplier Mr. Mahrab
Hussain. The purpose of this visit was to learn how he entered into honey bee farming and succeeded in this
business. Mr. Mahrab Hussain welcomed the trainees and fully briefed them on his work and learnings during the
last 20 years. It was a motivational and instructional inter-regional exposure visit where the women not only
visited the honey bee farm area but also experienced work in other areas of Chitral.

Figure 3 Exposure visit of the trainees with Mr. Mahrab Hussain a successful honey bee farming entrepreneur in Chitral

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1.5 Advertisment for Procurement of Beehives & Production Kits
1.6 Distribution of Beehives
1.7 Distribution of Production Kits
All the requirements of the procurement were followed as per HF policies. The advertisement for purchasing the
beehives and production kits was done through mass media. After the successful acquisition, Hashoo Foundation
successfully distributed 3 beehives and a production kit to each of the 31 women trainee.

Figure 4 Trainee receiving production kit from HF team

1.8 Follow-up/Monitoring Visits to Project Areas

Follow up monitoring visits were performed at he project site to evaluate the beehives and learn about the
progress of the project. The beekeepers gathered at the home of General Secretary in the village Yurjogh-
Garamchashma to discuss the issues/challenges they have faced.

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Observations

Honey Bee Farmers Association reported to have problems with the production of honey due to the influx of
beehives from the downside of District by other
beekeepers.
Production of honey this quarter is expected to be less
than projected due to the late delivery of the beehives.
Beekeepers are optimistic the production will increase
during the fall season.
Women Group made arrangements with Mr.
Muhammad Rasheed to mobilize the beehives to the
downside of District.
Due to the engagement of women in potato crops
during the to peak season, they proposed for the
Figure 5 Monitoring and discussion session with the trainees
pending planned training activities to be carried forward to follow up on the ongoing progress of the project
for next month.

Figure 6 Women trainees inspecting the procured beehives

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Figure 7 Meeting of HF team with project beneficiaries discussing project progress

2.1 Developing Strong Linkages with Local, National and International Market
For sustainability of the project, the women group was established and linked with Hayat Rukhon Honey
Association for marketing purpose.
Furthermore, the enterprise department of
Hashoo Foundation is in process of signing an
MoU with the Chitral Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (CCCI) and Chitral Communities
Development Network (CCDN) for further
projection of the project activities and
sustainable development of the formed
group by linking it with the CCCI.

Figure 8 Beekeeper holding wooden frame with bees

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2.2 3-Day Value Chain Development Training

Figure 9 Value Chain Development training

3.1 2-Day Session on the Importance of Education

3.2 2-Day session on Income Utilization/Improved Nutrition and Basic Healthcare

The team coordinated with the Women Business Group to start all the three trainings. However, due to the
engagement of the women of Garam Chashma valley with the potato harvesting season, the trainings could not
be started in the 2nd quarter. Now, the banner to promote the trainig is finalized and sent for printing. The team
will start soon the pending training activities.

During the reporting period, the beneficiaries provided the following feedback:

Beehives were provided in the month of June causing them to missed the peak harvesting season.

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Due to the large number of beehives influx from other entrepreneurs from downside of District areas, the
beneficiaries complained about less production and yield.
Beneficaires are satisfied about the quality of the production kits, beehives and training provided by Hashoo
Foundation.
Beneficiaries requested Hashoo Foundation to support them in terms of transportation of the beehives to
downside of the District in the first year only. According to them, they have very little production this year
and it will not be possible for them to afford the transportation charges. However, they plan to overcome
the situation next year and on ward.

Findings and Recommendations

The HF team reported the following this reporting quarter:

The Chitral area is impoverished and has a very high unemployment levels. The family unit expenditure is higher
than the income earned. Hence, they sell their livestock to fill this gap. The women live in a joint family system
with only one earning unit (family member) that hardly manage their expenses. The main portion of the income
is allocated to purchase food items and to pay for the elementary education of their children. Due to poverty,
their children drop out from school and cannot continue higher education or college. Therefore, these
communities are thankful for HFs interventions and count with our continued support.

Based on the above HF recommends:

Develop market linkages to help extend the womens business volume and production.
Prepare a comprehensive capacity building plan comprising both hands-on and theory to promote the
replication of this activity.
Develop a contingency and response plan to prepare in case of natural disasters.
HF should continue its support to promote the sustainability of the project and the quality of life of the new
beekeepers and their families.

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Conclusion

The Plan Bee project funded by Chapelwood Foundation and Donors Supporting Plan Bee Empowering Women
in Chitral (via razoo), and implemented by Hashoo Foundation is running smoothly and directly benefiting 31
women in Union Council Lotkoh, Tehsil & District Chitral. During the reporting period, the project successfully
achieved its defined milestones such as baseline survey, identification, and selection of women trainees. The
selected women were trained in honey bee farming and equipped with production kits and beehives. An exposure
visit was arranged for the trainees to get inspiration from successful honey producers of the sector. The Hashoo
Foundation team facilitated the selected women to form a honey farming group, named Shining Star Honey
Association to serve as a platform that they could utilize to upgrade their skills and production and contribute
positively to income generation honey micro-enterprise to improve their lives and provide education to their
children.

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Annexure I: List of Selected Women Trainees

Chapelwood Foundation and Donors Supporting Plan Bee Empowering Women in Chitral (via razoo)
2017-18 Chitral
Project Beneficiaries Brief Profiles
S.No Name Father/Husband name Village Contact No.
1 Jabeen Nisa Sharif ullah Village Novest Garam chashma 03369370067
2 Anjum zia bibi Gul Rehman Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03401895700
3 Zainam Bibi Bilawur Khan Village Izh Garam chashma 03350976312
4 Fatiha Gul Khosh wali khan Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03355262515
5 Sabeera Bibi Usman Khan Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03402350589
6 Halima Bibi Mubarak shah Village Nosit Garam chashma 03369190521
7 Shahiba Naz Farooq Amad shah Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03456221911
8 Khatija Muhammad Qayum Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03462950525
9 Jahan Zana tip Village Yourgoh Garam chashma Nil
10 Mas Gul Zar wali shah Village Yourgoh Garam chashma Nil
11 Shaista Mirza khan Village Novest Garam chashma 03409872794
12 Bibi Najima Noor Wali Village Izh Garam chashma 03409852472
13 Zubida Bibi Khursheed Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03159099760
14 Hashima Bibi Mulyar Khan Village Nosit Garam chashma 03409852794
15 Latifa Bibi Rehmat Ali Khan Village Yourgoh Garam chashma Nil
16 Bibi Khonza Jan Rasool Village Yourgoh Garam chashma Nil
17 Tahira Bibi Amir M khan Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03408905838
18 Mehfuza Bibi Ibrahim Khan Village Izh Garam chashma 03499158845
19 Shams Najum Amir Wali Shah Village Sanik Bala Garamchashma 03419235324
20 Maira Bibi Mir wali Village Izh Garam chashma Nil
21 Rahima Gul Mir Khan Village Izh Garam chashma 03912624917
22 Zar Nisa Abdul Karim Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03401193613
23 Razia Bani Sarwar udin Village Izh Garam chashma 03360513516
24 Sajida Sultan Math Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03445286573
25 Malik Naz Mirza Wali Shah Village Yourgoh Garam chashma 03459326119
26 Hira Rahim Ibrahim Khan Village Izh Garam chashma 03404867593
27 Rema bibi Sajjad Ali Village Izh Garam chashma 03483774634
28 Rehmat Bibi Wali Jan Village Yourgoh Garam chashma Nil
29 Zulhaj Abdul Murad Village Yourgoh Garam chashma Nil
30 Bibi Amina Gul Ahmad Shah Village Yourgoh Garam chashma Nil
31 Shams Najum Amir Wali Shah Village Sanik Bala Garamchashma 03419235324

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Annexure II: MOU with Hayat Rukhon Honey

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Annexure III: MOU with Master Trainer for Honey Bee Keeping

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