BY LIONEL TAORAO – ISLES MEDIA FREELANCER
Bee farmers on Ulawa Island are worried after spotting Asian bees, a type of bee that could harm local bees and affect honey production.
The issue came up during a recent two-day workshop for bee farmers held at Aosi village. The training, led by Community Resource Person Ben Ma’e, was meant to help farmers improve their beekeeping skills. But the focus quickly changed when news of the Asian bees was shared.
Mr. Ma’e confirmed the sightings. “Bee farmers must be alert. If Asian bees are sighted, they need to be reported and terminated immediately to stop their spread,” he said during the workshop.
Asian bees can compete with local bees for food and space, spread diseases, and lower the amount of honey that farmers collect. This could be a big problem for many families on Ulawa who rely on beekeeping to earn money and feed their families.
“We depend on bees for income and food,” said one farmer at the workshop. “If these Asian bees take over, we might lose everything.”
Mr. Ma’e urged farmers to report any sightings and work with agriculture officers. “Farmers should join hands with the Ministry of Agriculture and community leaders to stop this problem before it grows,” he added.
Farmers are now calling for experts from the Ministry to visit Ulawa, do proper checks, and train locals on how to protect their hives.
“We need help now, not later,” said another concerned farmer. “Our bees, our honey, and our families depend on it.”
