BEEKEEPING IN LA PAZ

Compas is working to promote beekeeping in La Paz.  The project is an effort to conserve the natural meliponine bee (stingless bee) species of Nicaragua.  These bees are critically important for plant pollination and are fundamental pillars for sustainable production and the health of the ecosystem.  That is why we are promoting native bee raising and agroecology which helps protect and create healthy habitats for bees.  Workshops have taught La Paz farmers not only how to care for bees, separate bee colonies and harvest honey but also how they form their hives, their importance to ecosystems and the benefits of their medicinal honey.  Beekeeping not only helps improve production but can also offer farmers another source of income through the sale of honey and also the sale of propolis and pollen because of their important medicinal properties. 

Native bees seek flowers to collect pollen, but they also gather resins from trees, as well as soil and water. For this reason, they require healthy soil and water, along with a diversity of trees, wild vegetation, and native plants to thrive. Thus, their presence is a good indicator of the quality of the ecosystems in which they are found, and every drop of honey is an ecological footprint of the landscape.  The Peaceful Nature Reserve is a sanctuary for native bees!  There are more than 10 trees with multiple bee hives, and one single tree is the home of 8 bee hives!