Sun may set soon on beleaguered beekeepers

Looking ahead

Wu Jie, a researcher at the Bee Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, said, "The lack of talent and new blood has become the major obstacle for China's apiculture industry. Improving the living standards of China's bee farmers and raising their incomes are at the top of the industry's agenda."

He pointed out that Chinese beekeepers mainly learn their skills from their parents, but the family unit and traditional beekeeping methods limit the number of hives per household to between 60 and 100.

"However, in Western countries, depending on the mode of work and the level of mechanization, one family can keep 300 to 600 beehives, meaning their income is eight to 10 times that of Chinese beekeepers," he said.

"Establishing beekeeping cooperatives, gradually raising standards and increasing the use of mechanization will be vital for the development of apiculture in China."

Zhou Huiying and Ju Chuanjiang contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at hena@chinadaily.com.cn.