Empowering beekeeping associations through Remote Advice in Peru

In northern Peru, where beekeeping is becoming an important source of income, eight presidents of local associations came together online in May and June. Representing fifteen associations and a total of 339 beekeepers, they carried a shared responsibility: to absorb new knowledge and pass it on to their members back home.

The Remote Advice training was designed by PUM expert Els Bonten to be practical and focused. It began with the essentials, understanding the bees, their behaviour, and good beekeeping practices. Els: “From there, we moved into hands-on techniques and the processing of bee products like pollen, wax, and propolis. Health and hygiene were also key topics. Each session built on the last, gradually leading to a final exam in the fifth and last meeting.”

Local collaboration
The close collaboration with the local coordinator played a vital role. She ensured smooth communication, kept track of attendance and exam participation, and helped keep everyone on board throughout the process. Of the eleven participants who followed the full programme, eight passed the exam and will receive a diploma from the local organization. Those who didn’t pass, but attended all sessions, will receive a certificate of participation.

This Remote Coaching not only offered structure and content, but also laid a strong foundation, through shared effort and local commitment, for the planned visit of Els Bonten to Peru in October.