"Plan Bee" Business Group USA Project Completion Report, Turmik, Rundu, District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

8/12/2019 "Plan Bee" Business Group USA Project Completion Report, Turmik, Rundu, District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

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Turmik, Rundu, District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Implemented in 2013


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Our Vision

Our vision is of an ethical, equitable, inclusive and progressive society in which people live with dignity and have

power over their own lives.

Our Mission

Our mission is to enable and empower communities to be independent by facilitating equitable access toopportunities, through working on programs that lie within our four core programmatic areas: economicdevelopment, education and skills development, supporting people with special needs, and providing emergencyrelief and social welfare.

Our ValuesHashoo Foundation draws on the values of equity, inclusivity, transparency, innovation, integrity, respect andfulfillment.

About Us

Hashoo Foundation is a progressive and dynamic non-profit organization, leading the way in human developmentand poverty alleviation by implementing viable economic development, educational and capacity buildingprograms in Pakistan. Hashoo Foundation is also focused on the needs of children.

Operating throughout Pakistan, the Hashoo Foundation is expanding globally. The Foundation holds validregistration and accreditation:

Pakistan- Registered under Trust Act 1882 vide Registration No 661 Sub-Registrar T-Div II Karachi dated 16/07/1988.- Certificate by the Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy No: PCP-RI/2006/17.- Exempted from Taxes with approval by CBR under SRO 169(1)/2005 notified/published in Gazette of Pakistandated 15/02/2005 under clause (3) of clause (58).- External Auditors/Chartered Accountants: KPMG (Tahsir Hadi Chartered Accountants).USA

- Certified in USA as a non-profit organization under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) code taxidentification number 20-0748173.UK- Certified in UK vide 1116314.- Approved U/S 2 (36) Income Tax Ordinance 2001 valid till further order.


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Contents

Acronyms .............................................................................................................................................. 4

1-Project Summary ............................................................................................................................... 5

2-Project Goal ....................................................................................................................................... 6

3-Background ....................................................................................................................................... 64-Objectives .......................................................................................................................................... 6

5-Project Activities Under Taken ......................................................................................................... 6

5.1 Community Mobilization ............................................................................................................. 6

5.2 Selection of the Trainees .............................................................................................................. 7

5.3 Selection of the Master Trainers ................................................................................................. 7

5.4 Development of Training Schedule .............................................................................................. 8

5.5 Post Training Evaluation .............................................................................................................. 8

5.6 Monitoring Visits to the Project ................................................................................................... 9

5.7 Distribution of Certificates, Beehives and Production Kits ......................................................... 9

5.8 Formation of the Cluster Based Association ............................................................................... 9

5.9 Value Chain Development (VCD) Training ................................................................................. 10

6-Output and Achievements of the Project ...................................................................................... 12

7-Outcomes of the Project ................................................................................................................. 11

8-Linkages Building and Visibility ...................................................................................................... 12

9-Risks/ Challenges and Assumptions ............................................................................................... 1210- Lessons Learned ......................................................................................................................... 13

11- Conclusion .................................................................................................................................. 14

Annexure 1 - Training Schedule ......................................................................................................... 15

Annexure 2 - Budget Summary .......................................................................................................... 17

Annexure 3- Profile of the Trainees .......................................................................................................

Annexure 4- Beneficiaries Profile Template ..........................................................................................


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Acronyms

CBO Community Based Organization

EDP Enterprise Development Program

GB Gilgit- Baltistan

HF Hashoo Foundation

HBG Honey Business Group

IP Implementing Partner

LSO Local Support Organization

NGO Non-Governmental Organization

PB Plan Bee

VCD Value Chain Development


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1- Project SummaryProject Title Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming

Project Plan Bee " Business Group (USA) Implementing Partner Hashoo Foundation

Funded By "Plan Bee" Party supporters

Area of Implementation Turmik, Rundu, District Skardu (Gilgit -Baltistan)

Number of Direct Beneficiaries 12 Women

Number of Beehives & ProductionKits Distributed

60 Beehives12 Production kits

Number of Indirect Beneficiaries 68 Dependents

Number of Children in School 36 Girls and boys

Overall management Ali Akbar, Country Director, HF -Pakistan

Technical Support Cristal Montaz Baylor, Executive Director, HF -USA

Project Manager Kamal Uddin, HF -Pakistan

Implementing Team BJ Shams & Gilgit Team, HF -Pakistan

Country Pakistan


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2- Project GoalThe overall goal of the project was to increase the income of 12 poor women through building their capacity ashoney bee farmers. 60 beehives and 12 production kits were distributed among them.

3- BackgroundHashoo Foundation (HF) with the financial assistance of "Plan Bee" Party supporters, initiated a pilot project ofbuilding capacity of underprivileged women on beekeeping skills in Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). In this connection, HFtrained 12 women at Turmik, Rondu, Skardu. On completion of the training, 60 beehives were also distributed to

the participant beekeepers. The trainees appreciated the efforts of Hashoo Foundation and thanked these sponsorsfor the generous contribution of funds to improve their standard of living through honey production business.

In the above mentioned context, beekeeping training conducted for the target beneficiaries of Turmik, Rondu,Skardu, focusing on fostering understanding of basic beekeeping skills. Following are the overall objectives ofbeekeeping training and distribution of beehives among the trained women group.

4- ObjectivesThe aim of the project was to:

- Build the capacity of local underprivileged women of Skardu on basic honey beekeeping skills- Distribute beehives and tool kit to target group of trained women- Enable the trainees to improve their livelihood by utilizing the acquired knowledge on bee farming and providedbeehives/production kit

5- Project Activities Under Taken5.1 Community Mobilization Hashoo Foundation regional team initiated dialogues with the target communities in collaboration with TormikRundu Local Support Organization (LSO) in Skardu. The communities expressed a keen desire for training in order toenhance their production capacity.


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5.2 Selection of the TraineesHashoo Foundation identified targeted women through a participatory selection process. An initial meeting washeld with the women organizations and community based organizations in village Tormik Roundu, District Skardu.The participants were briefed about the importance of enterprise development and Honey Bee farming. They weretold that beekeeping is an income generating activity with an incubation period of three months, which can be

undertaken at cottage level, as it does not require heavy investments or infrastructure. The participants were alsoinformed that congenial climatic conditions and availability of bee flora at selected locations including Ghizer,Skardu and Hunza districts are providing excellent opportunities for beekeeping. The participants highlighted thatonsite appropriate training was needed with inputs including beehives and extractors.

After the analysis of the baseline survey and recommendations made by the community heads, 12 trainees wereidentified. The following specific selection criteria were employed:

- Trainees should be women- Ability to demonstrate and transfer the skill to other person- Have the potential to build a small entrepreneur- Interest for honey beekeeping- Able to play positive role in linkages development between institutions and communities

5.3 Selection of the Master TrainersTwo master trainers (women) were hired by Hashoo Foundation to impart the theoretical and practical training. Allthe trainers were highly experienced and dedicated, and they conducted the training in very professional mannerthrough interactive sessions and using practical approach.


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5.4 Development of Training ScheduleConsensus was developed for implementation of the project and the training schedule was finalized in consultationand participation of the selected trainees and the related communities. Based on this mutual consensus, thetraining was scheduled from April 29 th 2013 to May 5 th 2013, which was conducted as per planned schedule. Thetopics covered under the training schedule are attached in annexure A.

5.5 Post Training EvaluationPost training evaluation/exam was conducted to assess the learning level of the trainees where following questionswere asked:

- How much you learnt from this training?- Do you easily understand the training language?- Were you satisfied from the presentation skills of the trainer?- How much practical work was interesting?- Was the training duration sufficient?- How was the relevant arrangement?

The overall feedback was very positive and the trainees appreciated the skills of the trainers as well as the trainingarrangements.


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5.6 Monitoring Visits to the ProjectHF team comprising of Regional Program Manager and team paid monitoring visit to project area and carried outthe following activities including;

- Invited relevant stakeholders to participate in training closing and beehives distribution ceremony

- Conducted a fruitful meeting with project beneficiaries about the event- Made all the arrangements of the beehives distribution ceremony

The feedback from the trainees was very positive and the facilitators were also satisfied from the learning aptitudeof the trainees as well as their high motivation level.

5.7 Distribution of Certificates, Beehives and Production Kits

Closing ceremony of the training was held in Tormik Roundu Skardu where community leadership, LSO head andrepresentatives from Hashoo Foundation participated. 60 beehives and 12 set of production kits were distributedamong the 12 trainees. Trainees were immensely happy with the training and profoundly thanked the Plan BeeBusiness Group USA and Hashoo Foundation for providing such a valuable training and inputs to alleviate thepoverty level of the marginalized community.

5.8 Formation of the Cluster Based AssociationThe 12 trained women beekeepers have been organized under the Plan Bee Business Group in Turmik, andregistered with Rundu Local Support Organization (LSO). Now they are working under the umbrella of the RunduLSO.


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5.9 Value Chain Development (VCD) Training

VCD training was arranged and imparted to 12 beneficiaries of the Plan Bee Business Group in Turmik, Rundu.The VCD aimed to make the beekeepers aware of basic knowledge of value addition techniques and value chaindevelopment concepts and how they could add value to their product and help increase their income.

Mr. Kamal Uddin, Program Manager Enterprise Development, facilitated the training and briefed the trainees onVCD steps, including quality assurance processes, packaging, and marketing, while maintaining supply of the honey-

made products in a systematic manner. The participants learnt how value addition could help them increase thedemand of their product and expand the market of their honey.


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5.10 Branding and Marketing of the Honey

Due to high demand of honey, all the produced honey was sold locally in raw form. Since there are not many localbrands of honey available in the local market, the women of the Plan Bee Business Group are in the process ofdeveloping their own honey brand: Chand-Honey. Initially, Hashoo Foundation will help in developing, brandingand marketing the honey. The Rundu LSO will technical supervision and share the progress and challenges with HFto strengthen the women based enterprise.

6- Outcomes of the ProjectThe project has helped improve the socio-economic status of the underprivileged people, especially the targetedwomen in the Turnik, Skardu. Honey bee farming is a lucrative income generating enterprise. The environment interms of natural and manmade flora is in abundance and available for more than six months during the year. Theimmediate earnings from the beehives within three to four months are other important factors that contribute toeconomic sustainability of the beneficiaries.

Some of the measureable outcomes of the project are as follow:

- 12 Women from Turmik were trained on basic bee farming skills and provided with honey production tools- The trained women are able to produce good quantity honey by applying techniques and skills taught in thetraining and the provided production material- Developed the Plan Bee Business Group USA


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- 450 kg (990 lb) honey was produced in 2013 and sold in local market by the beneficiaries- The project benefited 68 indirect family members and provided access to school to 36 girls and boys- Women s involvement in decision making has increased- Extra income is being spent on health care and food

7- Output and Achievements of the Project- 12 women identified, mobilized and trained

- 60 beehives distributed- 12 production kits distributed among the beneficiaries- 450 Kg. (990 Lb.) honey produced and sold honey in local market by the beneficiaries- Income of PKR. 350,000 (US$ 3,500) earned by the beneficiaries this year- 36 children have access to quality education- 68 indirect beneficiaries- Womens involveme nt in decision-making increased- Extra income was spent on health care and food

8- Linkages Building and VisibilityHF regularly conducted monitoring visits to the project area to gauge the progress of the project and consultedwith all the stakeholders. HF developed linkages with local civil society organizations (CSOs), local supportorganizations (LSOs), community based organization (CBOs) and Government line department to make the projectmore viable and sustainable. Local media and district authorities highly appreciated women focused initiativesundertaken by HF and highlighted extensively the role that such intervention could play for poverty reduction.

9- Risks, Challenges and AssumptionsGlobally, honey bee farming carries a natural risk, and this project was susceptible to the same risks. However, thepotential for securing a better livelihood for target beneficiaries far outweighed the risks, especially involving the

community in community based employment increased the source of income and livelihood in remote valley ofTurmik, Rundu, District Skardu.

There was no social risk, as HF has track record of extensive honey Bee and microenterprise developmentexperience. Similarly marketing of honey was not a risk, as HF itself purchases honey from the beneficiaries.

Before the start of the project, HF team conducted series of meeting with all the political and religious leaders.Therefore, HF did not face any hurdles during the project life cycle.

Environmental risk is the key factor in GB due to harsh winter season and lack of infrastructural facilities. Keepingin mind such risks, HF developed business group of beneficiaries for collective shifting of the beehives and to

reduce transportation cost and other risks.

Apart from this, HF signed an agreement with the supplier to assist the beneficiaries to shift their beehives towarmer parts of the country in winter and take beehives back to the project site at the start of the harvestingseason.

Also, there were cultural barriers for HF staff to work directly with female trainees. Initially, it was very difficult tomobilize the women due to cultural hindrances and male dominancy attitude, but HF curtailed this challengethrough engaging community elders and rel evant stakeholders during the beneficiarys selection process.


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10- Lessons Learned

- HF found that building capacity of the marginalized people, particularly women, not only provided them withencouragement and hope to improve their socio-economic conditions, but also provided decision making skills tothem.- The women have great potential to benefit from income generation initiatives and utilize the knowledge gainedthrough different capacity building programs to upgrade their businesses. - Honey beekeeping is a model of civil society enterprise development. Beekeepers know the way bees areorganized and have specific role to play in producing honey. With a clear understanding of the team work, specifictasks to achieve desirable results and participating in the tasks can lead to an organized society among the peopleparticularly women and other partners like shop keepers, traders and suppliers .- HF realized that the trained beekeepers can play an important role in creating an enabling environment in thesociety and can help to create diversity and tolerance, which are the milestones of a civil society. Beekeepers arevery much confident and motivated to become a social change agent of the society through such microentrepreneurial initiatives. Value chain development of the product/service is the integral part of the civil societydevelopment and value chain of the honey might promote socio-cultural and civil society sustainability.


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11- Conclusion

The fact remains that women are about 51% of the country and have a very low contribution in the family income.This project provided opportunity for women to earn livelihood for their families by undertaking entrepreneurialinitiatives. This was a new area of intervention for HF with challenging cultural and gender constraints. During themobilization and selection phase of the project, HF faced hurdles due to gender sensitivity. However, the HF teamworked very closely with the indigenous people and the local leadership to achieve the set objectives in an efficientand effective manner.

HF found that expanding these income-generating programs to low-income families have strengthened the socioeconomic conditions of the targeted communities and helped alleviate poverty. So far, the income of the familiesfacilitated with beekeeping has increased by 20%. These families have moved from below the poverty line to anotch above it. The project has also started providing an indirect benefit to families of the targeted women andnow they have started using their income to pay for their childrens education and health care and improving their

nutrition.

The trained beekeepers are now working with HF as master trainers and they are ready to work as champions of

change and help HF in replicating its Plan Honey Bee model in other remote areas of the district.

On behalf of the Hashoo Foundations team and its beneficiaries, we are thankful "Plan Bee" Party supporters forgranting the financial resources to kick start 12 new honey producing micro enterprises under the Plan BeeBusiness Group USA.


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The Hashoo Foundation is empowering women through honey bee farming, from the theoreticaltraining to the field. The Plan Bee Business Group (USA) has produced 450 kg (990 lb) of honey and

earned PKR. 350,000 (US $3,500).

Annexure 1 - Training ScheduleDays Time & Date Activities

Day 1Time : 9:00 4:00Date : 29-04-2013

- Registration of the trainees- Introduction of the participants- Introduction of Hashoo Foundation- Purposes of the training course- Introduction of trainers- Tea Break- Expectations of the trainees from the course- Conduct the pretest about beekeeping- Lunch break- Out major beekeeping problems of the area group work- Honey bee & its biology- Behaviors of honey bees & its activities

Day 2 Time : 9:00 4:00Date : 30-04-

- Follow up and evaluation of day first- Hive management- Site selection for apiary- Hives and its different types


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2013 - Attract bee come in Hive- Tea break- Tools used in Beekeeping- Apiary management- Lunch & pray break- Group discussion- Moving colonies

- Post test

Days 3 Time : 9:00 4:00Date : 01-05-2013

- Follow up and evaluation of previous day- Winter management of honey bees - Summer management- Tea break- How to make more honey from a colony- Group work and presentation- Lunch break- Group discussion- To share the experience of local beekeepers

Days 4 Time : 9:00 4:00Date : 02-05-2013

- Fellow up of previous day- Common honey bees pests & their control- Biological control of honey bee pests- Honey bee diseases - Tea break - Control measures- Medication and treatment of diseased colony- Lunch break- Field Visit:- Practical training on the farm site

Day 5 Time : 9:00 4:00Date : 03-05-2013

- Follow up of previous day- Swarming and its behavior- Swarming preparation- Tea break- Swarm management- Swarm control, capture and removal- Lunch break- Role of honey bee as pollinator- Field Visit:- Practical training on the farm site

Day 6 Time : 9:00 4:00Date : 04-05-2013

- Inspection of the colony- Tea break- Group work and presentation- Artificial feeding techniques- Lunch Break- Inspection of the colony- Important bee floras of the area- Practical training on the farm site

Day 7 Time : 9:00 4: - Recap of the previous day


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00Date : 05-05-2013

- Basic management techniques- Tea break- Practical training on the farm site- Lunch break- Post training evaluation- Formal closing of the training

Annexure 2 - Budget Summary

Expenses Head Plan Bee Business Group inUS $ @ 95 Rupees

Total US $

Baseline Survey & Mobilization 395 395

Honeybee Farming Training (Oneweek)

1,203 1,203

Honey Value Chain DevelopmentTraining (Three days)

555 555

Procurement and Distribution ofBeehives & Production kits

7,442 7,442

Branding, Monitoring & AdministrativeCost

4,989 4,989

Total Expenses 14,584 14,584


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Documents

"Plan Bee" Business Group USA Project Completion Report, Turmik, Rundu, District Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan