Potential of Beekeeping to Support the Livelihood, Economy, Society, and Environment of Indonesia

Abstract

The management of natural resources based on socio-economic and ecology development has led to a focus on the bioeconomy in the policy discourse of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). Honey is an important NTFP with high socio-economic value, and its production involves millions of Indonesians. This article reviews the current status of honey-producing bee management, cultivation and harvesting system, marketing and socio-economic values, and the industry’s environmental function in Indonesia. This research utilized a meta-narrative review method to collect data and information from Google Scholar, Scopus, Science Direct, ResearchGate, Sinta, and Garuda. The study showed that the four bee species, namely Apis mellifera, Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, and stingless bee, are the most common species in honey production in Indonesia. The four species have specific characteristics based on habitat, production capacity, derivative products, management intervention to meet honey product standards, and sustainable livelihoods. The value chain of bees’ major products, such as honey, propolis, pollen, royal jelly, wax, and other derivative products, involves the distribution of honey to all involved communities, including beekeepers, honey gatherers/hunters, intermediate traders, and the processing industry. This study also found a significant association between environmental sustainability statutes that affects functional sustainability and economic function. The finding parallels the global trends that put forward a forest-based bioeconomy approach to forest resource management. The policy must be strengthened in managing relationships among supporting actors for sustainable honey production.