Sustainable beekeeping in northern Peru  

Through various projects, PUM expert in beekeeping, Marco van Hees, has contributed to the sustainable development and professionalisation of the regional agribusiness ecosystem in northern Peru. This started with developing a unique training programme for beekeepers . Followed by securing a grant from the Hans Blankert Fund to partly finance a local laboratory aimed at improving products and genetic material.

The role of honeybees in the global shift towards a healthier, more sustainable, and plant-based food system is often not fully understood and severely underestimated. Vegetables and fruits require pollination, and large-scale production without effective pollination by honeybees is almost unimaginable. In many emerging economies, such as Peru, beekeeping provides an attractive source of income for local family businesses, making it an important and growing economic activity.

Agribusiness ecosystem
For example, in northern Peru, beehives are rented out for the pollination of crops like avocados and blackberries. Additionally, the sale of honey and cosmetic and medicinal products derived from bees to local markets and tourists provides a welcome supplement to family incomes. The vocational institute ‘Instituto de Educacion Superior Tecnologico Publico de Illimo’ approached PUM to develop a unique training programme for beekeepers, the first of its kind in Peru. PUM expert Marco van Hees led intensive workshops in Illimo, known as the bee capital of Peru.

He mapped out the interests, roles, and knowledge needs of the various stakeholders. The data collected from these workshops and company visits formed the basis for the joint development of a new and unique beekeeping curriculum for the institute. Masterclasses were also provided for students at the university of Cipan in Chiclayo, at the vocational institute in Illimo, and for professionals at an international online conference.

Hans Blankert Fund grant
Marco also worked with a local family business, Abiel Del Norte del Peru S.A.C., run by a third-generation group of beekeepers. The company produces, processes, and sells conventional bee honey and related products. Additionally, in recent years, it has provided pollination services to agro-industrial companies in northern Peru. The company has signed support agreements with the Faculty of Zootechnics Engineering of the Pedro Ruiz Gallo University and with the Technological Institute of Illimo, aimed at supporting the beekeeping sector in the region through their research.

Sustainable business models
In collaboration with an international student team from Northumbria University and the University of Amsterdam, Marco and the business owners developed a quality management plan including sustainable business models. PUM’s Hans Blankert Fund awarded co- funding for the establishment of a local laboratory to improve product quality and genetic material. At a reception that was held at the National Congress of Peru in Lima, the laboratory facilities were officially handed over to Abiel del Norte, and PUM and HBF received special thanks from Professor Anna Guerrera Milliones, a representative from the vocational institute in Illimo.