The Project Coordinator of the FCT Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Mrs. Caroline Opara, has highlighted the vital role bees play in conserving biodiversity, sustaining ecosystems, and boosting agricultural productivity.
Speaking in an interview in Abuja on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, Mrs. Opara described bees as “golden insects” due to their indispensable role as pollinators. She noted that bees are responsible for about 75 percent of pollination activities in agriculture, making them a cornerstone of food production systems.
“The importance of bees cannot be overstated. They are essential to maintaining ecological balance and supporting the food chain.
“Without them, both biodiversity and agricultural output would face serious threats,” she said.
Mrs. Opara stressed the need for proactive measures to protect bee populations, especially as environmental degradation continues to threaten natural and agricultural habitats.
She called for increased awareness and stakeholder collaboration to preserve bee habitats and expand apiculture practices across communities.
“Apiculture is a key component of ACReSAL’s interventions. Honey is one of the non-timber forest products we support through our sustainable livelihood programs,” she explained.
She added that since many forestry activities are community-based, promoting ecosystem protection goes hand-in-hand with strengthening local economies and reducing rural poverty.
According to Mrs. Opara, ACReSAL will continue to champion bee conservation through public awareness campaigns and by supporting local beekeeping initiatives.
She called on government agencies, farmers, and environmental groups to join forces in protecting pollinators as part of broader strategies to ensure food sustainability and ecological resilience.
Scientific estimates show that bees are responsible for 70 to 90 percent of all insect pollination activities worldwide, underscoring their irreplaceable role in global food security and ecosystem health.
“Protecting bees is not just about environmental stewardship. It is about safeguarding our future, our food systems, and our shared natural resources,” Opara concluded.
