admin | January 6, 2023
News Brief
Dobolalina is a village in Madagascar that is home to one of the last primary forests in Madagascar’s Central Highlands, the Anjozorobe Angavo forest. Here, an NGO called Amitié Madagascar Île-de-France and a honey company called The Bee Keeper (TBK) are teaming up to train farmers to keep bees within a 52,000-hectare protected area of the forest. Twelve villagers are currently involved in the project. According to TBK’s estimates, 20 hives could enable a beekeeper to rise above the poverty line, while 50 could provide them with a middle-class income. However, weather conditions have been unstable in the region, making the bees’ survival difficult. The local people say that climate change is to blame. Nevertheless, the beekeepers continue to work toward conserving the forest. Randrianasolo, one of the participants, says, "If we are still here, it means we still believe in it."
Dobolalina is a village in Madagascar that is home to one of the last primary forests in Madagascar’s Central Highlands, the Anjozorobe Angavo forest. Here, an NGO called Amitié Madagascar Île-de-France and a honey company called The Bee Keeper (TBK) are teaming up to train farmers to keep bees within a 52,000-hectare protected area of the forest. They hope it will help to preserve the forest and economically empower communities.
Farmers account for a large proportion of the population of Dobolalina. Because of the pandemic, many are under more financial stress than usual and require additional income. Living conditions here are difficult, so communities turn to whatever short-term sources of income they can find, often at the expense of the forest. Activities such as slash-and-burn agriculture, illegal mining, and harvesting lumber and charcoal contribute to deforestation.
According to TBK, honey production has the potential to solve both problems, protecting the forest and providing the residents of Anjozorobe with a reliable source of income.
Twelve villagers are currently involved in the project at Dobolalina. According to TBK’s estimates, 20 hives could enable a beekeeper to rise above the poverty line, while 50 could provide them with a middle-class income.
Lovasoa Rakotanaivo is one of the new local beekeepers. He says, “I believe in this project, even though it is tough. But if the forest continues to disappear, all of our hard work will have amounted to nothing.”
In mid-August 2022, a fire of unknown cause destroyed part of the forest bordering the protected area, approximately five kilometres from Dobolalina. The fire contributed to a series of delays in TBK’s first honey harvest, which was planned for August.
Gal Hankenne is the co-founder of TBK. He says, “At the moment we are struggling because the forest is retreating faster than the bees can work.”
The bees have fewer and fewer plants to pollinate as the forest is destroyed. This makes it difficult for them to survive.
Weather conditions have also been unstable in the region. According to the Dobolalina beekeepers, sometimes it can rain up to five days in a row. At other times, there is no rain for several days and it becomes too dry. These are difficult conditions for bees.
The local people say that climate change is to blame for the unusual weather patterns, which have a significant impact on their daily lives.
Nevertheless, the beekeepers continue to work toward conserving the forest. Randrianasolo, one of the participants, says, “If we are still here, it means we still believe in it.” This story is adapted from an article written by Valisoa Rasolofomboahangy and published by Mongobay, titled “In Madagascar, beekeepers persist in the face of fires and forest loss.” To read the full story, go to: https://news.mongabay.com/2022/01/in-madagascar-beekeepers-persist-in-the-face-of-fires-and-forest-loss/
Photo: Beekeepers and technicians gather around a hive to examine the frames. Credit: Valisoa Rasolofomboahangy for Mongabay.