1 min
I could write an epistle about why I love bees and the first thing that comes to mind — honey of course. Beyond honey, bees are the major pollinators of our food and the majority of the farmers depend on them for this activity, which is relatively free, provided by nature.
Working in the beeswax value chain in the last 2 years, supporting beekeepers in Nigeria to improve information management and traceability has made me more appreciative of the importance of bees in food production. And at the same time, the experience has helped me to understand the negative effects of some practices on the sustainability of bees in our farming communities. It is sad to see how bad practices are still prevalent in managing bees, especially during the harvesting of the honeycombs. These practices have a long term effect on the environment and also reduce the population of bees, which have a direct effect on food security.
Therefore, embracing sustainable beekeeping practices should be a must by every beekeeper, who believes in the work of the bees. And these practices start from the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE: bee suit, protective shoes, gloves and veils). Nobody loves being stung by the bees; not a good experience. PPE will reduce the hazard of being attacked by the bees. Other sustainable practices encompass providing food to the bees within a short distance. Planting of food in the form of flowers and providing alternative water where there are no rivers especially during the dry season. Avoid the use of fire to destroy bees rather use bee smokers as an alternative. These and other good practices help to increase the population of bees and support the establishment of strong colonies.
Sadly, many beekeepers don't have sufficient knowledge on sustainable beekeeping, especially those still using pesticides as the only way to harvest the honeycomb, which is dangerous and unsustainable. Also, there is a huge disruption in the bees value chain and its potential yet to be fully explored due to poor funding of the value chain. However, the bee value chain has huge economic opportunities and at the same time, it could be leveraged upon to improve pollination activities of food and tree crops (such as Cashew, Mango. Orange etc).
Therefore, supporting and mobilising investment into the bees value chain is a good business case and could create more opportunities for rural communities in the developing countries. Not only that, the bees are instrumental in our journey to food security as a major pollinator of our food. We need to keep our bees alive and their value chain sustainable to enjoy its full benefits. Let us support our bees and be conscious of how they help to balance the ecosystem. Let a community adopt a hive today!
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
Therefore, embracing sustainable beekeeping practices should be a must by every beekeeper, who believes in the work of the bees. And these practices start from the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE: bee suit, protective shoes, gloves and veils). Nobody loves being stung by the bees; not a good experience. PPE will reduce the hazard of being attacked by the bees. Other sustainable practices encompass providing food to the bees within a short distance. Planting of food in the form of flowers and providing alternative water where there are no rivers especially during the dry season. Avoid the use of fire to destroy bees rather use bee smokers as an alternative. These and other good practices help to increase the population of bees and support the establishment of strong colonies.
Sadly, many beekeepers don't have sufficient knowledge on sustainable beekeeping, especially those still using pesticides as the only way to harvest the honeycomb, which is dangerous and unsustainable. Also, there is a huge disruption in the bees value chain and its potential yet to be fully explored due to poor funding of the value chain. However, the bee value chain has huge economic opportunities and at the same time, it could be leveraged upon to improve pollination activities of food and tree crops (such as Cashew, Mango. Orange etc).
Therefore, supporting and mobilising investment into the bees value chain is a good business case and could create more opportunities for rural communities in the developing countries. Not only that, the bees are instrumental in our journey to food security as a major pollinator of our food. We need to keep our bees alive and their value chain sustainable to enjoy its full benefits. Let us support our bees and be conscious of how they help to balance the ecosystem. Let a community adopt a hive today!
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
Related
Don't forget about buckwheat. Far better for bees than wheat or mais.
And healthy!
As a grain, f.i. ideal tasty base for kind of couscous instead of wheat.
But also as a dark, rich honey.... buckwheat one of the best!
ps
the best honey I ever tasted was dark African forest honey (from Kenya or Tanzania?... forgotten...). More impressive than Manuka.