MAKING AGRICULTURE MORE BEE-FRIENDLY

Fruit orchards across South Africa are expanding rapidly, and it is estimated that the number of beehives available for pollination will have to double over the next decade to meet demand.

Calculations have shown that 65 000 hives are required for the deciduous fruit industry as it stands, with an additional 30 000 needed during the next decade as new orchards come into production. The seed and berry industries collectively require 50 000 hives over the next 10 years. The macadamia industry needs 160 000 beehives to optimally pollinate the current 40 000ha of macadamias, yet the industry is set to double in size over the next decade.

“As we don’t even have 160 000 hives in the entire country, the need to protect what we have has become crucial to ensure sustainable fruit crop