Safeguard Bees and Beekeepers in Madagascar

Whilst the yield of honey depends on the condition of the bee colonies, the health of the colonies depend upon the amount of forage (food) for the bees; a vital aspect of the beekeeping process. Unfortunately however, , forage is currently being threatened by slash and burn agricultural practices, as well as some of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. This results in a severe lack in diversity and abundance of forage, leading to a decline of wild honeybees, making their capture and repopulation even more difficult.

To address this lack of forage, in April 2022, SEED introduced five varieties of vegetable seeds and fruit tree seeds, distributing these to the beekeepers as part of a supplementation strategy. This strategy promotes both short- and long-term forage for the bees, whilst also providing secondary benefits to households through the production of food and nutritional value. Amongst some of the fruits and vegetables introduced, including lychee, courgette, aubergine, and orange, the Moringa plant is fast-growing, almost entirely edible and is extremely nutritious due to its high levels of vitamins and protein. Thus, our approach is two-fold in its benefits, being beneficial to both the health of the bees and those around them.

A healthy relationship between bees and humans is not only essential for the wellbeing of the people, but also for the environment and livelihoods of those living in rural Madagascar.