The Trocano Project stingless bee breeding course was held from the 14th to 15th July 2022.
The training was organised by the Trocano Project together with IDAM, Borba City Hall and the Secretariat for the Environment. The training course was held in the Axinim community for local residents to learn about stingless bee breeding and care, known as meliponiculture.
35 students attended the course which were taught by Leonardo Silva, a graduate of Meliponiculture and Beekeeping from INPA (National Research Institute in Amazon). Leonardo is owner of the city melipona apiary. The first part of the course provided the theory of the practice as well as the important role it plays in environmental preservation.
Building Bee Breeding Boxes
The students were excited about the practical part of the training. They visited the apiary, where more than 70 different species of stingless bees are bred. This gave them the opportunity to become familiar with the bees. They learned to understand the management, handling and care techniques as well as how to build bee breeding boxes.
The second day was met with energy and enthusiasm. A hollow tree trunk was opened which encased a swarm of bees which were then introduced to the breeder’s boxes. The students also had the opportunity to extract some honey from the existing hives. Everyone attending received some honey to take with them afterwards.
Students presented with certificates
After completing the course, the students were presented with certificates and congratulated for completing their training.
Meliponiculture generates great benefits to the environment through pollination, in a way that contributes to the regeneration of forests and increased biodiversity. It is also important for local residents as it creates excellent economic opportunities for the breeders to sell the honey, wax and other by-products such as propolis. This can help support the rural communities and create further opportunities for the future.
Honey from stingless bees has great cultural value. It is also used for therapeutic purposes to treat a range of health conditions, from respiratory infections to skin conditions as well as it having anti-inflammatory properties for conditions such as arthritis.
The Trocano Project is pleased to support this program. Due to the success of this training course, the team will help to roll it out to other communities within the project area.
