Beekeeping as a development and conservation activity of the Caatinga biome

a case study in the Hinterland of Alagoas

Abstract

Apiculture is an activity with positive impacts in the scope social, environmental and economic. In the Northeast of Brazil, it is mainly developed by family farming, contributing to household income and the permanence of the population in the countryside, in addition can contribute to management of ecosystem services of the caatinga biome. In this context, the objective of this work was to evaluate the impact of beekeeping among family farmers in the backlands of Alagoas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with family farmers. Beehoney production started with the Arajuba Project, developed by the MST and provided support for the development of actions, such as the start of production, supply of boxes, supplies, materials and technical assistance, in addition to training and marketing support. Most of the interviewed farmers have honey production as their main source of income, mainly due to the limited access to water that restricts plantations to the rainy season and aims to self-consume and sell the overplus, associated with the creation of small animals. Income varies among respondents and is related to the largest number of existing hives. The lack of access to public policies, especially technical assistance and credit limits the development and expansion of the activity, as well as the adoption of new technologies and the insertion of new farmers, consolidating the activity in the region and promoting rural development, combined with the conservation of biome. Even with the observed limitations, beekeeping is able to provide income for family farming and the insertion of young people.