The apiculture industry has been placed into the spotlight as the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Food Security, and Rural Development, joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Bee Day on May 20, 2022.

In Saint Lucia, the Apiculture sub-sector remains a largely untapped resource. The celebratory snapshot of apiculture in Saint Lucia organized by the Veterinary and Livestock Services Division of Agriculture Ministry sought to raise awareness of the importance of honeybees to the island’s food security efforts and to everyday life.

This year’s observance of World Bee Day which was held under the theme, “Bee Engaged” made a clarion call to Saint Lucian’s to play their individual roles in growing the sector; emphasizing the point that bees are integral to the agro-ecosystem as pollinators.

National Specialist at the Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Brent Theophile reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministries of Agriculture and Commerce, as well as beekeepers, to capitalize on the golden opportunities presented by the apiculture sector.

“Saint Lucia has all the building blocks, all the elements to be a leader in apiculture in the Caribbean. The IICA delegation in Saint Lucia believes this outright based on all the diversity of work we have done so far, the relationships we have developed, and the ideas and innovations that you and the beekeepers are constantly bringing to the fore. From the development perspective that is already a win for Saint Lucia. You have a dynamic, aggressive innovative private sector. Let us look to see how we can support, work alongside, and further the speed at which innovation and progress are realized.”

Friday’s World Bee Day celebrations included an award ceremony for high achieving apiculturists and a public exhibition in which various apiculture clusters showcased the innovation in honey products and bi-products coming out of the local apiculture industry.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Security and Rural Development, Hon. Alfred Prospere, who was present at the ceremony, emphasizes the importance of ensuring our food security in light of pollinators being increasingly threatened by factors like climate change and the indiscriminate use of pesticides.

 “The role of our bees in food security and biodiversity is unquestionable, don’t be fooled by their size. Despite their tiny stature, bees underpin our food systems. The vital role of these insects as pollinators enables the production of much of our crops. According to the FAO, approximately 75% of the world’s crops produce fruits and seeds for consumption and depend at least in part on pollinators for sustained production, yield, and quality. As pollinators, our bees are also critical to forest regeneration and maintaining our ecosystems and biodiversity.”

As the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development continues to focus on improving the food security and food sovereignty of Saint Lucia, Minister Prospere encourages the public to join the fight to ensure that bees are protected.