PESTICIDE OVERUSE THREATENS GLOBAL BEE INDUSTRY, SAYS WHO
BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
Bees may be small, but their role in the ecosystem is enormous and under threat.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that the excessive use of pesticides is among the major dangers facing the global bee population.
Each year on May 20, World Bee Day is observed in honor of Anton Janša, a pioneer of modern beekeeping from Slovenia.
The United Nations General Assembly established this global observance in 2017 to raise awareness of the critical challenges bees face.
Beyond honey production, bees are essential pollinators.
They help plants, fruits, and vegetables grow by transferring pollen from one flower to another.
In the Philippines, beekeepers even rent out bee colonies, with fees ranging from 500 pesos to 2,000 pesos, to support crop pollination during flowering seasons.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, one in every three bites of food people consume each day relies on pollination, much of it done by bees.
However, pollution, habitat destruction, climate change, and heavy pesticide use have drastically reduced bee populations worldwide.
In the Philippines, farmer groups and environmental organizations continue to raise alarms about this crisis.
To protect bees and promote sustainable beekeeping, the Department of Agriculture has launched training programs across the country.
Bees are not just important for the environment; they also play a vital role in local livelihoods.
Many communities depend on products like honey and beeswax, with bee farms flourishing in areas such as Benguet, Palawan, and Davao.
“Now you know,” the segment concludes. These little creatures carry more weight on their wings than w
e often realize.
