The explosive growth of the avocado and blueberry industry means that every year more hives are demanded for the pollination of crops, said the executive director of Cultivida, Carlos Rodríguez Koch

He explained that, in the case of avocado, pollination ensures that the productive yield increases by more than 30%; while, in the case of blueberries, pollination allows obtaining a high quality fruit (good size and well shaped).

He explained that in Peru there are approximately 35 thousand hectares of avocado and 10 hives are required per hectare, which is why 350 thousand hives are needed. In the case of blueberries, there are about 12 thousand hectares and 4 hives are required per hectare, so 48 thousand hives are necessary.

“In recent years the number of beehives has increased in our country, to serve only both plantations requires about 400 thousand beehives. As the fields grow, the demand for beehives will increase, ”he said.

As an example, he mentioned that a beekeeper from Chulucanas already has a contract to pollinate a farm located in the Olmos Project (Lambayeque) in 2021. “This year he is delivering around 400 hives, but for next year the same farm is requesting 2.200 hives from him, so he will have to get more hives to fulfill the contract. The beekeeping sector has been growing and generates jobs ”.

In that sense, Carlos Rodríguez highlighted that a beekeeper not only obtains profitability with bee derivatives such as honey, jelly, propolis, among others, but also with the pollination service, which today is what generates the most income for them, since due to the difficulties of the pandemic, the levels of honey harvest have fallen.

He added that one of the problems in the sector is the massive adulteration of honey by bad merchants. "The beekeeper sells his high-quality honey to a wholesaler who adulterates it, as long as there is no way to combat this bad practice, it will be difficult for the final consumer to acquire good quality honey."

Protect pollinators
At another time, the executive director of Cultivida referred to the need to protect pollinators, as they allow for better crop production, higher profitability and sustainability to agriculture, the environment and biodiversity.

“We have to create awareness in the farmer that pollinators must be protected, that is why continuous dialogue between beekeeper and farmer is necessary. The latter must inform if he has made any application (of agrochemicals) to his crops so that the beekeeper closes the entrances and does not release the bees for at least 24 hours, in addition to providing him with a food substitute after feeding and thus avoid poisoning bees ”, he explained.

Data

• At least a third of the pollinations of food crops in the world and 80% of the pollination of wild flowers is due to bees and other pollinators such as wasps, ants, butterflies, beetles, bats, hummingbirds, moths, among others.
• At least 20.000 species of bees have been identified, of which 30 are of the Apis melliferous species, known for their high production of honey, propolis and royal jelly.