Beekeeping an alternative to family farming for sustainable development

Abstract

The semi-arid region is characterized by high variability in its natural conditions, in addition to long periods of drought and irregular rainfall, and sustainable practices are a way of exploiting the potential of this region. In this context, the search for alternatives is the key to living in these conditions. In this situation, beekeeping is a very rich activity when it comes to agribusiness and sustainability, with Brazil being one of the largest honey producers in the world and still having great beekeeping potential to be reached. Even with the natural conditions imposed by the semi-arid region, the potential of beekeeping in production and marketing is proving to be a profitable and sustainable activity for living with such conditions. The aim of this work is to highlight and explore the importance of beekeeping as a sustainable activity. This study describes an experience report during the beekeeping course in the Agricultural Technician course at the Colégio Agrícola Vidal de Negreiros - CAVN (2012.1 to 2013.2), but with a scientific theoretical basis, which is based on data from established works. Beekeeping is an imminent activity to be explored, and it is immeasurable for these producers to constantly seek to improve their techniques, as well as to establish a path of trust with the professional agricultural technicians they work with in this area.