Growing a Stronger Beekeeping Industry
Eighteen local beekeepers in north Belize were trained in the skills needed to continue the growth of the beekeeping industry.
The Agriculture Department’s Corozal District office, alongside National Beekeeping Coordinator Miguel Huertas and the Climate Resilient Agriculture Project (CRESAP), wrapped a two-day technical training this week to strengthen apiary management and sustain honey production.
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The 18 honey producers and agriculture extension officers who participated learned about three areas considered critical to sustainable beekeeping, including understanding bee biology and hive infrastructure, providing colonies with appropriate supplemental nutrition, and managing pests and diseases.
Among the sharpest threats addressed was the varroa mite, a parasite responsible for mass colony losses internationally in recent years, alongside the small hive beetle.
The hands-on portion of the training took place at Samuel Lainez’s apiary in Concepcion village.