UNOPS grant funds Beekeepers’ Cooperative tree-planting initiative to combat Varroa Mite in Antigua & Barbuda

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In December 2022, the Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. was the recipient of a United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) grant.

This grant was given for the implementing of innovative strategies towards improving the Honeybee population and the health status to control the Varroa Mite for sustainable beekeeping on the twin-island state.

UNOPS provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services to help build the future and support the achievement of the Sustainable world.

The grant of US$50,000 was given for the project which was expected to be concluded in the timeframe of nineteen (19) months and officially commenced in April 2023.

Collaborative assistance and support for this project was given by the Forestry Division and Greencastle Agricultural Station of the Ministry of Agriculture, the Plant Nursery of the Department of the Environment and local nurseries in Barbuda.

By the conclusion of the project a total of four hundred of bee-friendly trees (such as Mimosa, Pomegranate, Cashew, Ackee and Lignum Vitae) are expected to be planted.

Three hundred trees on several locations on Antigua and fifty trees are to be planted on Barbuda. To avoid any contamination, the trees planted on Barbuda will be sourced there.

In addition to providing the honey bees with natural materials for their honey production to from these trees, the other benefits to be derived through this project is the enhancement of the environment, creating new habitats and increase the biodiversity in these selected sites.

One of the sites selected was the Glanville’s Secondary School compound.

The Principal, staff and students were very happy to be a part of the tree planting exercise, and will continue to be caretakers of these young trees.

With the increasing demands for honey, the eradication of habitats and biodiversity due to development, natural disasters caused by Climate Change this activity is deemed as a timely and right step for the restoration that’s needed.

It pays to bee-friendly because these little creatures need your protection as we have much to benefit from them especially in the agricultural industry.

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