‘Connecting people with nature’

BIODIVERSITY CHAMPIONS: VIABLE AND HEALTHY HIVES NEEDED TO CREATE ENOUGH BEES > Declining insect populations, mean poor pollination of crops – report.

- Brian Sokutu

More than 50 agricultural crops pollinated by honey bees contribute to more than R10.3 billion to the country's economy, with farmers in Western Cape's Overberg region emerging as biodiversity champions, according to global conservation organisation World Wildlife Fund (WWF) South Africa.

Caring for bees supported SA's food security, said the WWF in its latest report.

It said viable and healthy hives were needed to create enough bees for "enough bees to pollinate crops and make honey".

WWF recommendations included:

> A call for the provision of sufficient and constant source of forage for honey bees; and

> Managing threats to bees' survival, which included not spraying insecticide - especially when crops are flowering, with the insects active.

"Declining honey bee population and a shortage of beehives mean poor pollination of crops, translating into poor harvests, fewer food choices, less food and job security – more threats in the agricultural industry," the report said.

"South Africa imports more honey than it produces.

"Increasing the honey bee population will create more opportunities to grow the local honey industry."