World Bee Day 2024: Engaging Young People as Future Beekeepers and Environmental Stewards
On World Bee Day 2024, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, called on young people to learn about bees and pollinators, including both traditional and high-tech beekeeping methods. His remarks, made during a celebration at the Italian Presidential Estate in Castelporziano, emphasized the vital role of these small creatures in agriculture, ecological balance, and biodiversity preservation.
The Importance of Bees and Pollinators
Bees and other pollinators are crucial for life on Earth. They increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of our food, with approximately 75 percent of the world's crops dependent on pollination. Protecting these pollinators is essential for maintaining our ecosystems and food supply.
Call to Action for Young People
Francesco Lollobrigida, Italy's Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, and Forestry, stressed the importance of young farmers and beekeepers in addressing current challenges and fostering innovation in the production chain. He highlighted the potential for increased awareness among youth to turn into entrepreneurial engagement as beekeepers.
Sustainable Beekeeping Practices
The FAO Director-General underscored the need for replacing harmful agricultural practices with pollinator-friendly methods, promoting the sustainable use of locally adapted bees and plants, and implementing policies that harmonize agriculture with bee conservation. Consumers are also urged to make informed choices about the origin and production methods of their food.
Educational Initiatives and Technological Advancements
The ceremony included the inauguration of educational panels at the center dedicated to bee studies within the Estate. These panels, developed by FAO in collaboration with the Tenuta staff, highlight the importance of sustainable beekeeping and the critical role pollinators play in nature. Each panel features QR codes for translations in all official FAO languages and is surrounded by flowerbeds showcasing plants favored by bees.
Experts from the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana (IZSLT) shared their knowledge with the young audience, emphasizing the educational value of these initiatives.
FAO and APIMONDIA Collaboration
During the ceremony, FAO and APIMONDIA, the International Federation of Beekeepers' Associations, renewed their Memorandum of Understanding, building on over 60 years of collaboration. This partnership aims to strengthen sustainable beekeeping practices and protect pollinator populations.
Beekeeping Beyond Honey Production
World Bee Day 2024 focuses on youth-led beekeeping initiatives, which can drive innovation and address emerging challenges such as extreme weather events, pesticide use, and pest spread. Beekeeping supports numerous Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by providing income and improving resilience for rural and indigenous communities.
FAO's Commitment
FAO promotes policies supporting biological control of plant pests and reducing pesticide use through the Global Action on Pollination Services for Sustainable Agriculture. The TECA platform, managed by FAO's Research and Extension Unit, facilitates knowledge exchange and sustainable rural transformation by sharing successful agricultural technologies and practices.
FAQs
Q: Why is World Bee Day important?
A: World Bee Day raises awareness about the essential role of bees and pollinators in our ecosystem, highlighting the need to protect them and promote sustainable beekeeping practices.
Q: How can young people get involved in beekeeping?
A: Young people can participate in educational programs, start beekeeping as a hobby or business, and engage in local conservation efforts to protect pollinators.
Q: What are the benefits of sustainable beekeeping?
A: Sustainable beekeeping supports biodiversity, improves food security, and provides income for rural communities while reducing environmental impact.
Q: How is technology helping in bee conservation?
A: Technology, such as AI and computer simulations, helps researchers understand bee behavior, optimize pollination strategies, and predict how bees will respond to environmental changes.
Q: What is FAO's role in promoting sustainable agriculture?
A: FAO supports policies for biological pest control, reduces pesticide use, and facilitates knowledge exchange through platforms like TECA to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
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