impact and status of chapelwood foundation funded projects

Impact Study and Status of Chapelwood Foundation Funded Projects

Gilgit-‐Baltistan, Pakistan

March 9, 2015

Contents

Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 2

Objectives .................................................................................................................................................... 2

Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 2

Data Compilation and Analysis ................................................................................................................... 3

Study Findings ............................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1. Sada Business Honey Group (Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee” Grant 1) ................................................................................................................................. 3

1.1.1 Honey production ...................................................................................................................... 3

1.1.2. Income generation and utilization ........................................................................................... 4

1.1.3. Access to education, health and food ...................................................................................... 4

1.2. Jubilee Honey Business group and Honey Partners Business Group (Restoration of flood affected beekeepers) .............................................................................................................................. 5

1.2.1. Honey production ............................................................................................................... 5

1.2.2. Income generation and utilization ...................................................................................... 6

1.2.3. Access to education, health and food ................................................................................ 6

1.3. Kashman Honey Business Group(Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee” Grant 3) ................................................................................................................................. 7

1.3.1. Honey production ............................................................................................................... 7

1.3.2. Income generation and utilization ...................................................................................... 7


1.4. Shaheen Honey Business Group (Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee”) .............................................................................................................................................. 8

1.4.1. Honey production (Ibs) and income generation ($) ........................................................... 8


Issues/challenges faced (overall) ............................................................................................................... 9

Learning (overall) ...................................................................................................................................... 10

Conclusion and Recommendations .......................................................................................................... 10

Introduction Hashoo Foundation Pakistan in collaboration with Hashoo Foundation USA chapter, has implemented four ‘Plan Bee’ projects in Gilgit-Baltistan since 2010, through Chapelwood Foundation’s support. The overall goal of the projects were to increase the income of underprivileged women through building their capacity as honey bee farmers and distributing sixty (60) beehives (in each project) with production kits. To date cumulatively, 132 beekeepers were capacitated, as a result, those beneficiaries formed Honey Business Goups to collectively manage the honey production, transportation and packaging etc. A study of the progress for this project and these groups was conducted.

Objectives 1. To ascertain the overall impact of the Chapelwood Foundation’s projects implemented in

Gilgit-Baltistan 2. To find out the issues/challenges faced by the beneficiaries 3. To establish learning and recommend suggestions for future utilization

Methodology This study followed a diverse approach where qualitative and quantitative methods were used for data collection. A questionnaire was developed and focus group discussions were conducted to collect data from the honey business groups. The assessment team comprised of regional (Gilgit) MEAL and EDP officers. The details of the interviewed groups of all the four project of Chapelwood Foundation are as follows;

SN Project name Implementation area

Name of business group

1. Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee” Grant 1

Hussainabad, Skardu

Sada Honey Business group

2 Restoration of Flood Affected Beekeepers

Ishkoman, District Ghizer

Jublee Honey Business Group and Honey Partners Business Group

3. Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee” Grant 3

Gamba, Skardu Khasman Honey Business Group

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

502 595 611

132 154

Annual Honey Produc:on Trend (Ibs)

Produc:on(Ibs)

4. Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee”

Gahkuch Balla, Ghizer

Shaheen Honey Business Group

Data Compilation and Analysis The data was collected through Focus Group Discussions (FDGs) and imputed manually. The data was verified and organized thematically to bring out the successes, issues and challenges. The study findings and analysis was done by narrating the highlights of each business group which ultimately gave the analysis of the subsequent projects implemented. The overall analysis of the research study depicted the following results;

Study Findings 1.1. Sada Business Honey Group (Women Empowerment through Honey

Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee” Grant 1)

1.1.1 Honey production The trend showed that the first three years were positive and encouraging, however for the last two years, there has been a drastic decline in the production. The reason for this decline was mainly unfavorable weather conditions (heavy rains and strong winds), which resulted in loss of beehives and consequently production.

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

3449

4379 4888

1334 1511

Annual Income Trend (US $)

Income($)

30%

10% 50%

10%

Income U:liza:on Trend

Food Health Educa:on Others

1.1.2. Income generation and uti l ization

As per the year production variance, the income also showed fluctuations. The difference of income between 2012 and 2014 was almost 70%. The beneficiaries wish to continue their efforts to increase production through better management. They also anticipated that 2015 would be a productive year in terms of honey production and income.

The income utilization trend showed that major part of the income has been utilized in education followed by food and health.

1.1.3. Access to education, health and food One of the objectives of the project was to increased access to education and health. It was observed that before the project initiation, 106 children were enrolled in schools. However, after the project completion, the enrollment increased by 19% which made the number increase to 126. Furthermore, 14 students changed the existing school for better/higher education during the project period. Regarding health access, the group beneficiaries

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

2012 2013 2014

1100

1320

913

Annual Produc:on Trend (Ibs)

Produc:on(Ibs)

responded that initially they were relying on self-medication, however now their awareness level has enhanced and they are accessing the health centers in their vicinity in case of emergency. When asked about ‘food trend change’, the group beneficiaries reflected that before the project, they were rarely able to get food items from the Bazaar/shops but now there is a little change and they are now able to get some grocery from Bazaar. One of the beneficiary expressed that “…..I am now able to buy chicken and sometimes fruits for my kids…I am happy about this.” Regarding household decision-making, most of the women responded that they are mostly involved in household decision-making. During the meeting, men beneficiaries confirmed that they let women to take decisions specially children clothing, schooling and food. However, it is anticipated that in future this paradigm of decision-making will expand and women will be part of main household decisions. Group beneficiaries also expressed the project has promoted the culture of business in their area where women were mainly confined to household chores. This has increased women’s’ confidence, articulation and above all, has provided women with an opportunity for social networking. One of the group women beneficiary expressed that “……..I was afraid of meeting people and answering their questions, but this honey program has given me confidence to talk and to do something for my children.”

1.2. Jubilee Honey Business Group and Honey Partners Business Group (Restoration of Flood Affected Beekeepers)

1.2.1. Honey production

The trend showed slight fluctuation in production. The main reason for production decrease in 2014 was due to unfavorable weather conditions. Whereas in 2012 and 2013, because of the better management, the beehives have been increased from 58 to 64, which has also contributed to the overall good annual production trend.

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

8000

2012 2013 2014

5500

6600

7761


Income($)

50%

20%

30%


Food Health Educa:on


The annual income trend saw slight variations. It was interesting to note the production in 2014 was around 30% less than 2013. However, the income earned was 15% higher due to better selling rates to private purchasers. Although in 2012 and 2013 there was an increase in production and the groups sold honey to Hashoo Foundation on the predefined/pre-decided rates.

It was observed that major part of the income was utilized in food and subsequently at education and health.

1.2.3. Access to education, health and food It was observed that prior to the project initiation, 173 children were enrolled whereas during/after the project, the enrollment increased to 10 more. Also 12 already enrolled students changed their school for better education. Regarding the food pattern, the

beneficiaries said that they are now able to purchase meat, rice and fruit which was rare previously. Most of the women expressed that they are involved in decisions making like domestic purchases and other family matters.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

2013 2014

880

352

Honey Produc:on Trend (Ibs)

Produc:on(Ibs)

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

2013 2014

6600

3520


Income($)

10%

40% 50%



Most of the women expressed how the project has provided them a platform where they can interact with each other, share ideas, issues etc. few of the women beneficiary reflected “the project has helped us to increase our income and confidence…”

1.3. Kashman Honey Business Group(Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee” Grant 3)

1.3.1. Honey production

The trend showed the production in the first year was encouraging, however unfavorable weather conditions have severely affected the production in the following year; resulted in less than half of the production of 2013. The situation also resulted in a decrease in number of beehives (initially the beehives were 60 which reduced to 40 due to bees death).


The difference of income between 2013 and 2014 was almost 50% and this was mainly due to less honey production in 2014. The beneficiaries hope to continue their efforts to increase production and expect 2015 to be a productive year in terms of honey production and income.

The income utilization trend showed half of the income being utilized in education followed by other areas for instance food and health. 1.3.3. Access to education, health and food

The analysis reflected that prior to the project, 61 children were enrolled whereas the number increased to 78 (17 addition) during/after the project, 7 children changed their schools for better education. The beneficiaries also responded that they were now able to go to the nearby hospital due to awareness and affordability. A beneficiary expressed “….previously I was mostly relying on self-medication but now if required, I take my kids to doctors….”

Regarding the decision-making, most of the respondent expressed that now their ideas/views were valued at home. Few of the women exclaimed “we equally participate in our domestic households decisions.”

Some of them were limited to the household chores previously and were considered passive recipients, now they have the opportunity to come out and contribute to their family’s needs. One of the women expressed that “this project gave me the confidence to move ahead….we can easily share our problems/ideas in front of others.”

1.4. Shaheen Honey Business Group (Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee”)

1.4.1. Honey production ( lbs) and income (US $)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

income($) produc:on(Ibs)

6270

627

Produc:on (lbs) and Income (US $)

10%

40% 50%



“Women Empowerment through Honey Bee Farming Project “Plan Bee” implemented in 2014, the group was able to produce 627 lbs honey in the same year. The main reason for less production was reduced number of beehives (48 as compare to 60). The bees were attacked by Wild bees and also the unfavorable weather condition became another contribution factor.. Moreover, the income utilization trend showed more concentration on ‘Education’ than to health and food.

1.4.2. Access to education, health and food

Prior to project implementation, 67 children were enrolled whereas during the project 6 more children were enrolled in schools. 9 children changed their schools for better education.

Regarding the ‘food pattern change’ there was a slight change seen. The respondents aspired to continue the efforts to earn more..

Regarding the project, the respondents expressed that the project had not only uplifted their economic status in their families, but also gave them social identity and improved their lives. Overall Issues and Challenges Faced

! Bees death during shifting and lack of infrastructure.

! Beehives’ shifting was highly risky and costly.

! Attack of wild beehives killed honey bees which effected production.

! Unfavorable and unpredictable heavy rain and winds destroyed bees.

! Difference of level of cooperation and interest of group members.

! Disease could not be identified on timely manner.

Learning Experience ! Timely shifting of beehives locally as well as to down country could increase production

and reduce risks. ! Group work and proper distribution of responsibilities among groups would increase

production and confidence of group members. ! Precautionary measures and know-how about bee diseases could reduce the loss of bees. ! Group member composition of both male and female could strengthen the honey bee

operations especially at hives shifting/transportation time.

Conclusion and Recommendations On the basis of physical observations and analytical review of both quantitative and qualitative data, following are few recommendations for future utilization: 1. With respect to honey production in all groups, it was observed an increase in honey

production during the initial years. However, the production reduced in the subsequent years or increased slightly in one or two cases due to ‘unfavorable weather conditions’. However, better management practices were good lesson learnt, which similar groups could adopt in other regions It was recommended to organize a ‘lesson learnt’ workshop of the four Honey Business Groups (four projects) for the community to share positive impacts and areas of learning.

2. The project shall substantially work on options of reducing the transportation risks and cost.

3. The technical and updated refresher training especially on ‘disease identification and cure’

was recommended for better management and production.

impact and status of chapelwood foundation funded projects

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