Seoul, March 7 (Korea Bizwire) – Five Korean government ministries are teaming up to protect honeybees from the effects of climate change.
The Rural Development Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the Ministry of Environment, the Korea Forestry Agency, and the Korea Meteorological Administration are working together to combat the alarming decline in honey bee populations.
Recent climate changes have shortened the flowering period of acacia trees, which account for 70% of honey production, and as a result, honey production has decreased.
As a result, there is an urgent need to develop new sources of nectar, protect bees and preserve the ecosystem.
The purpose of this trade agreement is to find ways for the five ministries to secure new sources of nectar and increase productivity in the beekeeping industry.
It is expected that the decline of honey bees, which has been a serious problem in recent years, will intensify this year. Last year, 17.6 billion honey bees disappeared, and it is predicted that more than 20 billion bees will disappear this year.
The decrease in the number of honey bees is an alarming sign of climate change, which can lead to a decrease in crop production and threaten the foundation of the agricultural sector.
As of November 30 last year, more than 880,000 hives in 10,546 bee farms were damaged, according to the Beekeeping Association.
Beekeepers are particularly concerned about climate change because queen bees lay eggs early in warm winter weather and active bees die without being able to return home.