Beekeeping Training and Exposure Visit in Germany (Bavarian State)

Date: May 5–10, 2025
Participants: 6 Ethiopian representatives from regional agriculture bureau, honey and wax
processor, regulatory body, EAD Association, and NGOs.

Introduction
The Sustainable Beekeeping exposure visit was conducted by a group of 6 Ethiopian people from
different organizations. This was made on May 5 to 10, 2025 in Germany, Bavarian State.
Representation was from regional bureau of agriculture, honey and wax processor, regulatory
body, EAD Association and from NGOs.

Objective
The main objective was to expand expertise and skills in sustainable beekeeping techniques,
honey production, and relevant practices through lectures, workshops, field trips, and hands-on
exercises.

Visited Sites
● Beekeeping School
● Organic Beekeeping Farm
● Queen Bee Mating & Selection Stations
● Beekeeping Equipment Shop
● Munich Area Beekeepers Association
● Sightseeing around Munich

Key Highlights
● Germany has 990,000 colonies and 149,000 beekeepers, with 95% being hobbyists.
● The Beekeeping School offers short-term and 3-year training programs.
● The Organic Farm featured full-cycle beekeeping: colony management, processing,
marketing, and value-added products.
● The Queen Bee Mating Station is isolated to avoid unwanted mating.
● Associations in Munich support over 1,000 beekeepers, offering training, advocacy, and
equipment.
● The BZVM Association, with 397 members, provides education, equipment, and
influences policy.

Beekeeping Associations in Bavaria – Organization and Financing
In Munich and surrounding areas, 1000 beekeepers are organized in five local associations. The
team visited BZVM association, founded in 1982, with 397 members and its own office, apiary
sites, and equipment.
Associations influence politics, raise public awareness, and provide adult and youth education
through theoretical and practical training.

They are financed by:
● Membership fees
● Donations
● Equipment rental income
● Training contributions
● State funding for lectures
● Voluntary member work

General Observations
● Beekeeping in Germany faces challenges like Varroa virus and cold winters.
● Beekeepers must register and may require insurance or taxation based on hive numbers.
● Queen breeding centers are well organized.

Benefits of the Visit
The visiting groups has taken very important lessons which are learnt from beekeepers,
beekeeping Association circumstances to themselves.

• Our learning took place in a real life situation, which allowed visiting group to ask questions
about the development activity being implemented and get first hand feedback. It is practical,
learning from experience (not theoretical).

Through this knowledge exchange and practical experience, participants will be empowered to
enhance knowledge and skill beekeeping operations and sustainably protect the local bee
population. The representatives are also willing to share their new knowledge when they return
home from the exposure visit. This event also helps bringing the actors and institutions on a
common platform for better coordination in future, which will ultimately help in reaping good
results.

Present form EADA

Queen selection site

Queen selection site

Visit at the beekeeper’s honey and wax processing plant

Organic beekeeper

Bee school

Bee school