Farmers in southern Mexico rescue bees as dry spell grips region

Mexican farmer Floriberto Matias carefully gets a honeycomb bristling with bees, as he and fellow activists in southern Mexico bring the fragile structures to a neighboring apiary for the buzzing animals.

In the town of Santa Ana Zegache, in the state of Oaxaca, Matias and other farmers are stressed that a continuous drought and the resulting loss of local plants could hurt the regional bee population.

Such a turn would threaten the farmers themselves, said beekeeper Eloy Perez, who becomes part of the town's rescue efforts.

Without the work of pollination, which is what bees do, there would be no type of food production, from the smallest lawn to the massive watermelons, he stated.

Researchers are warning of declining bee populations in various parts of the world, with vast implications for ecosystems and agricultural production.

Research studies have revealed that environment loss, pesticides, monoculture agriculture, and the spread of pathogens are all risks to Mexico's bee populations.

While there's a need for more research study into the results of Mexico's drought on bees, the farmers in Oaxaca see a clear connection.

Matias discussed that an absence of water has caused the growth of less plants and flowers in the location, which in turn has decreased the offered nectar and pollen for the bees to feast on.

The group carries the honeycombs to apiaries stocked with food and water in what farmer Bernardino Blas calls a labor of love.

It's our objective in this world: to rescue the bees, he said.

(source: Reuters)