Where Beehives Thrive

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As the first rays of sun appear behind the mountains dispelling the cold morning fog, you can soon hear the buzz of honeybees. This is the best time for managing the hive, says Mara. She received her land over 15 years ago, after an unproductive farm was designated for agrarian reform in Paraíba Valley - an important region which connects São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Amidst the mountains of the Atlantic Forest she plants peanuts, manioc, avocado, cambuci and countless other species. All the environment and its biodiversity are taken into account, seeking not only a good harvest, but also the recovery and preservation of natural resources. There her beehives thrive.

Bees are disappearing all over the world. Agrochemicals, deforestation, diseases, climate change, fires and nutritional deficits are some of the threats and causes of its collapse. About 500 million bees were reported dead in the first quarter of 2019 alone in Brazil while over 350 pesticides were released for use in agriculture, many of which already banned in Europe and other parts of the world. And the numbers kept rising.

Is there a world without bees? In Paraíba Valley a collective created and led by women hope to avoid this answer. Dedicated to beekeeping and agroecology, they are increasingly affirming their protagonism in environmental and social issues, fighting for their rights and for the right of the land to be cultivated with respect and responsibility. 

 

Read reports at Mongabay and Mongabay Brasil.