A Firm Foundation in Beekeeping at Last
Eddy says he tried many times to keep bees, but since he did not have much knowledge on the subject, he was never successful. He had participated in many of the sustainable farming activities promoted by local partner APIDEC, and knew that bees played an important role in the crop cycle. A chance to enroll in a beekeeping course was a dream come true.
Agriculture is essential to Guatemala’s economy, so when APIDEC was able to identify beekeeping as a way for participants to diversify their farms and improve crops, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock was more than willing to support the farmers with a four-month apiary diploma course.
Eddy is among six leaders from his and other communities chosen to receive this training. They will all take their knowledge back to their neighbors as part of the agreement. Although the course is still in progress, Eddy became so motivated that he started his own 15-hive apiary on his small farm. APIDEC provided him the boxes and other essentials for working with the bees, and various municipal partners contributed flowering trees and plants as sources of nectar. He expects to harvest his first honey in the spring of 2022.
He is currently training a group of men in his community. He takes seriously his responsibility to support other families and educate future generations on the subject of beekeeping, and conservation agriculture in general. APIDEC considers Eddy an important agent of change in the area.
Says Eddy, “God bless everyone who supports this program. As a leader in my community, I can tell you that these words of gratitude are not only mine but all of ours.”
Guatemala Sayaxché Program
Led by World Renew and Local Partner APIDEC