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Apiculture - /ˈāpəˌkəlCHər/ - noun

July 31st, 2019

Definition: The technical term for beekeeping, or the occupation of owning and breeding bees for their honey. In addition to producing honey, bees serve an important purpose in a Forest Garden, where they pollinate trees and plants and keep them healthy until the harvest. Many crops are dependent on bee pollination for survival and growth.

The Economic Benefit: Beekeeping is a common pastime among the farmers we work with. Simon Peter and his son Odongo (pictured above), farmers from Uganda, have taken a deep interest in beekeeping and now house six different hives on their land. They have melded traditional local practices with new research in order to build hives, welcome bees, and help them prosper. Read more about Simon and Odongo here.

In the Forest Garden:  The Albizia Lebbeck is a medium-sized deciduous tree which can grow to 15-20 meters tall. It has large flowers which attract bees, helping it flourish. This tree produces high-quality wood as well as fodder for animals, and is great for soil improvement. Without pollination and bees, it wouldn’t be able to provide all of its resources to farmers.

Learn more about what trees are great for bees in Module 9 of the Technical Manual.