Beekeeping Livelihood Development in Nepal: Value-Added Opportunities and Professional Support Needs

Beekeeping contributes to poverty reduction in many developing countries, and in addition, provides pollination services for sustainable crop production. In Nepal, management practices associated with beekeeping are poorly characterized, and so the potential for this sector to further contribute to livelihood development remains unclear. This study sought to examine and identify factors associated with production efficiency and financial profitability of beekeeping with the aim of enhancing economic gains for Nepali beekeepers. Our study included a sample of 150 respondents from more than twenty commercial beekeeping districts across the Terai and mountainous regions of Nepal. Profitability of beekeeping with the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the Asian honeybee Apis cerana Fabricius, 1793 (Hymenoptera: Apidae) was quantified and disaggregated according to several variables, including hive-derived products produced, marketing strategy employed, number of beehives managed, and postharvest management practices. Our results showed that the different types of management practices adopted (such as number of beehives kept, colony multiplication, supplementary feeding, month of honey harvesting, and marketing approach) significantly influenced the productivity and economic profitability of beekeeping. Our results also revealed that professional supports, such as the availability of subsidies and training, were key factors to enhance productivity. As a whole, this study provides insight into the biological factors and management practices associated with higher economic returns from beekeeping. This work can help guide policymakers and professional support agencies to expand commercial beekeeping for sustainable livelihood development in Nepal and beyond.

Primary Laryngotracheal Amyloidosis Masquerading as Malignancy

Amyloidosis represents a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the deposition of amyloid protein in various target organs of the body. Amyloidosis is classified as systemic or local. Larynx is the common site for localized amyloid deposition and patient usually presents with hoarseness of voice. Because of the similar clinical and imaging features to malignant laryngeal mass, diagnostic confusion occurs and histopathological confirmation is usually needed. Although laryngeal tracheo-bronchial amyloidosis is rare, it should be considered among the differentials of benign laryngeal tumors.

Bleeding Meckel's Diverticulum in an Infant - A Case Report

Meckel’s diverticulum is a congenital diverticulum. Mostly it is asymptomatic. In children the commonest complication is lower GI bleeding. High index of suspicion is required for its diagnosis. Technetium-99m pertechnetate scan is useful to detect ectopic gastric mucosa. Surgical treatment of symptomatic Meckel’s diverticulum is diverticulectomy or ileal resection.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v34i1.9523J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2014;34(1):54-56