Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia
The four honeybee species native to Cambodia—<i>Apis dorsata</i>, <i>Apis cerana</i>, <i>Apis florea</i>, <i>and Apis andreniformis</i>—play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity through their pollination activities. Beekeeping...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Eric Guerin Chhouk Chheang Chainarong Sinpoo Korrawat Attasopa Nuttapol Noirungsee Huoqing Zheng Tial C. Ling Patcharin Phokasem Terd Disayathanoowat |
| author_facet | Eric Guerin Chhouk Chheang Chainarong Sinpoo Korrawat Attasopa Nuttapol Noirungsee Huoqing Zheng Tial C. Ling Patcharin Phokasem Terd Disayathanoowat |
| author_sort | Eric Guerin |
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| description | The four honeybee species native to Cambodia—<i>Apis dorsata</i>, <i>Apis cerana</i>, <i>Apis florea</i>, <i>and Apis andreniformis</i>—play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity through their pollination activities. Beekeeping in Cambodia has primarily developed around the introduced species <i>Apis mellifera</i>. However, it remains underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries, with wild honey collection continuing to play a significant role. Although native bees are not at immediate risk of extinction, their crucial ecological and socio-economic roles, coupled with the threats to their populations, necessitate the urgent implementation of conservation policies. The beekeeping sector in Cambodia faces numerous challenges that hinder its development. These include a lack of documentation and official data, limited access to productive apiaries, inappropriate pesticide practices, insufficient knowledge about bee health, diseases, and parasites, inadequate organization and representation of beekeepers, the high cost of Cambodian honey, and a lack of consumer awareness and trust in local bee products. This paper provides an overview of the status and distribution of honeybee species, along with the production, value chain, and trade of bee products in Cambodia. It examines the challenges of conserving native honeybees and developing the beekeeping sector while proposing strategies to strengthen bee conservation and support the growth of beekeeping in the country. Key recommendations focus on integrating bee conservation strategies with broader conservation goals, such as reducing deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and regulating the consumption of wild bee brood. Key strategies for the development of beekeeping are documenting and conserving bee floral resources and habitats, reducing the use of bee-toxic pesticides, developing research and training capacities in beekeeping, regulating bee imports, and enhancing quality and authenticity testing facilities. Additionally, building capacity among honey value chain stakeholders in areas such as quality control, authenticity, processing, packaging, and marketing is essential. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7294ac5e8d544d63b6fb6731a9f3a800 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-7294ac5e8d544d63b6fb6731a9f3a8002025-01-24T13:35:40ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-01-011613910.3390/insects16010039Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in CambodiaEric Guerin0Chhouk Chheang1Chainarong Sinpoo2Korrawat Attasopa3Nuttapol Noirungsee4Huoqing Zheng5Tial C. Ling6Patcharin Phokasem7Terd Disayathanoowat8Asian Native Honey Bee Conservation and Sustainable Beekeeping, Bantey Chas Village, Slor Kram Commune, Siem Reap 171201, Krong Siem Reap, CambodiaDepartment of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Processing, National Meanchey University, Sisophon 010807, Banteay Meanchey, CambodiaOffice of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandResearch Center of Deep Technology in Beekeeping and Bee Products for Sustainable Development Goals (SMART BEE SDGs), Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandCollege of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, ChinaDepartment of Environmental and Plant Biology, Ohio University, Athens, OH 45701-2979, USAOffice of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, ThailandThe four honeybee species native to Cambodia—<i>Apis dorsata</i>, <i>Apis cerana</i>, <i>Apis florea</i>, <i>and Apis andreniformis</i>—play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity through their pollination activities. Beekeeping in Cambodia has primarily developed around the introduced species <i>Apis mellifera</i>. However, it remains underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries, with wild honey collection continuing to play a significant role. Although native bees are not at immediate risk of extinction, their crucial ecological and socio-economic roles, coupled with the threats to their populations, necessitate the urgent implementation of conservation policies. The beekeeping sector in Cambodia faces numerous challenges that hinder its development. These include a lack of documentation and official data, limited access to productive apiaries, inappropriate pesticide practices, insufficient knowledge about bee health, diseases, and parasites, inadequate organization and representation of beekeepers, the high cost of Cambodian honey, and a lack of consumer awareness and trust in local bee products. This paper provides an overview of the status and distribution of honeybee species, along with the production, value chain, and trade of bee products in Cambodia. It examines the challenges of conserving native honeybees and developing the beekeeping sector while proposing strategies to strengthen bee conservation and support the growth of beekeeping in the country. Key recommendations focus on integrating bee conservation strategies with broader conservation goals, such as reducing deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and regulating the consumption of wild bee brood. Key strategies for the development of beekeeping are documenting and conserving bee floral resources and habitats, reducing the use of bee-toxic pesticides, developing research and training capacities in beekeeping, regulating bee imports, and enhancing quality and authenticity testing facilities. Additionally, building capacity among honey value chain stakeholders in areas such as quality control, authenticity, processing, packaging, and marketing is essential.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/1/39bee conservationbeekeepinghoney huntingcambodiachallengespolicies perspectives |
| spellingShingle | Eric Guerin Chhouk Chheang Chainarong Sinpoo Korrawat Attasopa Nuttapol Noirungsee Huoqing Zheng Tial C. Ling Patcharin Phokasem Terd Disayathanoowat Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia Insects bee conservation beekeeping honey hunting cambodia challenges policies perspectives |
| title | Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia |
| title_full | Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia |
| title_fullStr | Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia |
| title_short | Current Status, Challenges, and Perspectives in the Conservation of Native Honeybees and Beekeeping in Cambodia |
| title_sort | current status challenges and perspectives in the conservation of native honeybees and beekeeping in cambodia |
| topic | bee conservation beekeeping honey hunting cambodia challenges policies perspectives |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/1/39 |
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