1 min
In my over decades working with smallholder farmers, tree felling is an important activity that many farmers engage in. The felled trees serve as wood for various purposes such as fuel for cooking, materials for housing, canoe making amongst other activities to help the farmers live comfortably and satisfactorily. However, as the population increases, the needs for wood have been increasing beyond the farming communities to urban areas where it is used for various construction activities, furniture making, toilet roll, papers, wooden tiles etc.
As a result of this new demand, more trees are being cut down annually, creating more business activities for the people, but unsustainably. More sadly, little or no replanting of trees is done, thus distorting the ecosystem. And one important job that is affected is beekeeping, which is an alternative livelihood for many smallholder farmers.
“We are going deeper into the forest now than before because there are fewer trees closer to us. This has increased our costs as we have to travel a long distance to install our hives, monitor them and also to harvest”, this statement was common among some of the beekeepers I interacted with a few months ago. This is not just about beekeeping alone but the negative impact this has on biodiversity – loss of biodiversity and reduction of pollinators (bees) whose populations are gradually decreasing due to the use of harmful chemicals, now coupled with reduction in the number of beekeepers due to unavailable trees that serve as shades for their hives. This is a reality that we cannot continue to live in. We need to act now and change the narrative.
Tree planting is not only meant to reduce carbon in the environment but could serve as the only hope for several beekeepers in our communities. We need to encourage more tree planting (trees that flower well and can attract bees) in designated areas that will help more beekeepers to thrive. In addition, we need to put punitive measures against deforestation especially for protective or conservation areas where many beekeepers could carry out their activities without restraint.
Finally, trees are part of our ecosystem and they help to maintain a balance in our environment. We cannot do without them when they are alive. Therefore, we need more trees to help us breathe more fresh air. And beyond its many benefits, we need them to help more beekeepers earn a better living and increase the population of bees to support pollination of crops, and thus improve crop productivity and ecosystem balancing. The change starts from us today by either planting more productive trees that produce numerous flowers that help the ecosystem to become better or continuing with the current practice of cutting down trees to earn a living. The future will definitely remember our choices! Let us make the right choice today.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
“We are going deeper into the forest now than before because there are fewer trees closer to us. This has increased our costs as we have to travel a long distance to install our hives, monitor them and also to harvest”, this statement was common among some of the beekeepers I interacted with a few months ago. This is not just about beekeeping alone but the negative impact this has on biodiversity – loss of biodiversity and reduction of pollinators (bees) whose populations are gradually decreasing due to the use of harmful chemicals, now coupled with reduction in the number of beekeepers due to unavailable trees that serve as shades for their hives. This is a reality that we cannot continue to live in. We need to act now and change the narrative.
Tree planting is not only meant to reduce carbon in the environment but could serve as the only hope for several beekeepers in our communities. We need to encourage more tree planting (trees that flower well and can attract bees) in designated areas that will help more beekeepers to thrive. In addition, we need to put punitive measures against deforestation especially for protective or conservation areas where many beekeepers could carry out their activities without restraint.
Finally, trees are part of our ecosystem and they help to maintain a balance in our environment. We cannot do without them when they are alive. Therefore, we need more trees to help us breathe more fresh air. And beyond its many benefits, we need them to help more beekeepers earn a better living and increase the population of bees to support pollination of crops, and thus improve crop productivity and ecosystem balancing. The change starts from us today by either planting more productive trees that produce numerous flowers that help the ecosystem to become better or continuing with the current practice of cutting down trees to earn a living. The future will definitely remember our choices! Let us make the right choice today.
Yours-in-Service
Babatunde
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