In southeastern Mexico, indigenous women are leading a change toward agroecological practices to combat the climate crisis and preserve the life of bees from the state of Chiapas.
In Chalchiuitán, Chiapas, beekeepers have implemented these techniques to sustain the family economy and take care of the environment, marking a milestone in the conservation of biodiversity.
According to researchers from the Colegio de la Frontera Sur (Ecosur), Mexico is home to a tenth of the world's bee diversity, with around two thousand species. Of these, Chiapas only has about 500 native species, which highlights the importance of the region in the conservation of these pollinators vital for agriculture.
In Chiapas, more than 161 thousand hives are cared for by approximately 1,778 beekeepers, and it is notable that the majority are women. These indigenous women have adopted new sustainable techniques in response to the migratory phenomenon and are setting the standard in agricultural innovation and bee production.
Building a sustainable future
Verónica Gómez Núñez, a Tsotsil beekeeper, exemplifies the success of these initiatives. With the support of other women in her community, she has managed to increase the number of her hives and envisions an environmental legacy for future generations, even involving her son in caring for the bees.
The aAuthorities have implemented programs to address these challenges, including reforestation and bee care strategies.. Through the Ministry of Agriculture, comprehensive initiatives are being developed to preserve the quality of bee products and protect the environment.
Despite these achievements, beekeepers face challenges such as the low price of honey on the international market and deforestation. In addition, the climate crisis represents a threat to certain species of bees, aggravated by the drought that affects more than 60% of Mexico.
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