[WORLD] In the rugged mountains of northeast Peru, a remarkable story of resilience, empowerment, and environmental stewardship is unfolding. A group of women beekeepers in Chilal de la Merced, a village perched at over 2,600 meters in the Andes, have not only saved millions of bees from the brink of extinction but have also cultivated a thriving honey business in the face of climate adversity.
This inspiring tale of triumph over environmental challenges showcases the power of sustainable agriculture, climate adaptation, and women's empowerment in rural communities. Let's delve into how these Peruvian women are making a significant impact on bee conservation and their own livelihoods.
The Climate Crisis and Its Impact on Beekeeping
Extreme Weather Events
Chilal de la Merced, like many other regions in Peru, has been grappling with the harsh realities of climate change. The village has experienced a series of extreme weather events in recent years, including heavy rains, droughts, frosts, and hailstorms. These climatic disruptions have had a severe impact on the local ecosystem, particularly affecting the bees' ability to forage for nectar and pollen.
Karina Villalobos, the 28-year-old spokeswoman for the Hojuelas de Miel (Honey Flakes) beekeepers association, recounts a particularly harrowing experience: "When we checked the hives, we found the boxes full of dead bees". This stark reality faced by the beekeepers underscores the urgent need for adaptive measures in the face of climate change.
The Plight of Bees Worldwide
The challenges faced by the beekeepers in Chilal de la Merced are not isolated incidents. Globally, bee populations are increasingly vulnerable to climate change, pesticide use, and habitat loss. Experts consider bees as bellwethers of healthy ecosystems, making their conservation crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ensuring food security.
A Ray of Hope: The Avanzar Rural Program
In the face of these challenges, the women beekeepers of Chilal de la Merced found a lifeline in the form of the Avanzar Rural program. This initiative, founded by the Peruvian government and the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to support small-scale food producers in rural areas vulnerable to climate change.
Securing Vital Funding
The Hojuelas de Miel beekeepers association, comprising 15 women, applied for a grant from Avanzar Rural in early 2021. After a period of anxious waiting, they secured US$27,000 (RM115,460) in climate funding. This financial support proved to be a game-changer for the women and their bees.
Overcoming Bureaucratic Hurdles
However, the path to success was not without its challenges. As Villalobos explains, "We asked ourselves, what are we going to do? If we don't take action, the bees will disappear, the project will collapse and our organisation will fail". The urgency of climate change often outpaces the speed of grant disbursement and project implementation, creating additional hurdles for communities already struggling with environmental challenges.
Innovative Solutions for Bee Conservation
Faced with the imminent threat of losing their bees and livelihoods, the women of Hojuelas de Miel took matters into their own hands. They developed innovative strategies to adapt to the changing weather patterns and ensure the survival of their hives.
Emergency Feeding Measures
To combat the immediate threat of starvation faced by their bees due to heavy rains preventing foraging, the beekeepers implemented an emergency feeding program. They created a nutrient-rich syrup mixture of sugar and vitamins to sustain the bees during periods when natural food sources were scarce.
Creating a Sustainable Habitat
Looking beyond short-term solutions, the women invested in long-term sustainability. Using the grant money, they surrounded their hives with native plants and flowers, including arum lilies and coffee plants, which are more resistant to drought and rain. This strategic planting not only provided a reliable food source for the bees but also contributed to the overall biodiversity of the area.
Expanding the Bees' Territory
The beekeepers didn't stop at their immediate surroundings. They took their conservation efforts a step further by transplanting the drought-resistant plants into the nearby forest, effectively expanding the bees' habitat and foraging range. This proactive approach demonstrates their commitment to both the bees' welfare and the broader ecosystem.
Empowering Rural Women Through Beekeeping
The success of the Hojuelas de Miel beekeepers association goes beyond bee conservation. It represents a powerful example of rural women's empowerment and economic independence.
Breaking Down Financial Barriers
In Peru, as in many parts of the world, women face significant challenges in securing funding for their businesses. Villalobos highlights this issue, stating, "Because the owner of the land is the man, so how can we get a loan?" The Avanzar Rural program has been instrumental in breaking down these barriers, providing women with access to much-needed financial resources.
Building Resilience and Skills
Through their beekeeping venture, these women have not only secured a stable income but have also developed valuable skills in business management, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation. As Villalobos proudly declares, "Today we are empowered and resilient women".
The Impact of Climate Funding on Rural Communities
The success of the Hojuelas de Miel project underscores the critical importance of directing climate funding towards rural communities, small-scale farmers, and indigenous populations.
A Drop in the Ocean
Juan Diego Ruiz, IFAD's chief for the Andean region and the Southern Cone, points out a startling statistic: less than 2% of all international climate finance reaches these vulnerable groups. This disparity highlights the need for more targeted and accessible funding mechanisms to support those on the frontlines of climate change.
The Avanzar Rural Success Story
The Avanzar Rural program has made significant strides in addressing this funding gap. Over the past four years, it has supported 1,031 small businesses in Peru, benefiting 17,557 people. The program's approach, which combines financial support with technical assistance and capacity building, has proven effective in fostering sustainable rural development.
The Economics of Sustainable Beekeeping
The Hojuelas de Miel beekeepers association serves as a prime example of how sustainable agriculture can lead to economic prosperity in rural areas.
A Thriving Business Model
Currently, the association operates 89 beehives and generates an annual income of approximately US$13,000 (RM55,600). This success not only provides a stable livelihood for the women involved but also contributes to the local economy.
Investing in the Future
The beekeepers' commitment to their project is evident in their willingness to invest their own resources. Before receiving the first tranche of aid, they contributed 10% of the cost of their business plan – US$3,800 (RM16,253). This financial stake ensures a sense of ownership and long-term commitment to the project's success.
Lessons for Global Climate Adaptation
The story of the women beekeepers in Chilal de la Merced offers valuable insights for climate adaptation efforts worldwide:
Local Solutions for Global Problems: The beekeepers' innovative approaches to climate challenges demonstrate the importance of local knowledge and ingenuity in developing effective adaptation strategies.
Women as Agents of Change: This project highlights the crucial role of women in driving sustainable development and climate resilience in rural communities.
Integrated Approach to Sustainability: By combining bee conservation with sustainable agriculture and rural development, the project achieves multiple positive outcomes simultaneously.
As the world gears up for the COP29 climate conference in Baku next month, stories like that of the Hojuelas de Miel beekeepers serve as powerful reminders of the tangible impacts of climate funding when directed towards grassroots initiatives.
The women beekeepers of Chilal de la Merced have not only saved their bees from the impacts of climate change but have also cultivated a thriving, sustainable business that empowers their community. Their story is a testament to the resilience of rural women and the transformative power of targeted climate funding.
As we face the global challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and rural poverty, the success of projects like Hojuelas de Miel offers a blueprint for sustainable development that benefits both people and the planet. By supporting such initiatives, we can work towards a future where rural communities are empowered, ecosystems are preserved, and sustainable livelihoods flourish.
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