"Bees are at risk from the reckless use of pesticides in farming. So raising awareness, research and everyone working together are urgently needed to protect bees and beekeeping. That will stop pesticide misuse and save bees, and honey production and exports will also grow."

Speakers said this at a press conference titled "Risks to bees, safe food and the environment from reckless pesticide use", held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday (20 May) to mark World Bee Day.

It was organised by the Rural Development Academy (Palli Unnayan Academy), BAPA, BISEF Foundation and North Bengal Honey Community.

Sirajganj beekeeper Abdur Rashid Mondal told the press conference that bees in 160 boxes at his farm in Thakurgaon died after poison was applied, a loss of about Tk 6 lakh. Young people are losing interest in beekeeping, and the industry will not survive without awareness, he said.

Jahangir Alam of North Bengal Honey Community Enterprise said 86 per cent of pollination in the world is done by bees, and four of six bee species are now heading for extinction.

BISEF Foundation president Dr Zainul Abedin said that agronomists once supported pesticides, but they have now become dangerous. Stressing the use of organic biopesticides, he said state support is needed for their research, production and marketing.

BAPA president Nur Mohammad Talukder said the proper rules for applying pesticides are not followed in the country. He stressed three things: proper registration, seasonal protection, and applying pesticides with the weather in mind.

Abdullah Al Mamun, additional director general of the Rural Development Academy, said community-based initiatives and greater awareness are needed to establish beekeeping as an industry in Bangladesh. Excessive pesticides are harming the environment, reducing yields and weakening generations of bees, he said.

He added that focusing on quality local honey could create export opportunities.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.