Adapting to cyclones and wildfires in Greece: resilient bee populations for food security

2024 LOCAL ADAPTATION CHAMPIONS AWARD NOMINEE

Natural disasters such as cyclones and wildfires are becoming more common and more severe due to human-induced climate change. Communities of beekeepers in Greece, where bees are critical for food security, are learning how to adapt to these natural disasters by making bee populations more resilient and faster recovering.

Evia, a major honey-producing island in Greece, was devastated by wildfires in August 2021, which destroyed critical habitats for bees. Meanwhile, the Thessaly region suffered severe flooding in September 2023 from Cyclone Daniel, submerging farmland and wiping out crops and beehives. For these areas, bees play a crucial role in agricultural productivity, as they are essential pollinators for crops. The loss of bees not only impacts food production but also threatens the livelihoods of local communities.

Climate-Smart Solutions for Local Communities

The Queen Rearing Program from the New Agriculture New Generation (NANG) NGO, focuses on local beekeepers, ensuring they are equipped with the skills required to maintain healthy bee colonies in today’s climate. Local beekeepers undergo comprehensive training on how to adapt to changing climatic conditions, for example through practices that genetically strengthen their colonies, minimize the use of harmful agrochemicals and that manage disease outbreaks effectively.

Local beekeepers are completely integrated into the program: they are engaged in the development and execution, ensuring that their insights and needs are prioritized. For example, beekeepers are trained in the grafting method, which helps breed genetically enhanced queen bees using local genetic material which is best suited to local conditions. This strengthens bee colonies and supports consistent pollination services for crops.

By training local beekeepers and providing ongoing support, the project builds local capacity to manage and sustain beekeeping. This localized approach ensures that the knowledge and benefits remain within the community.

“The resilience of farmers and beekeepers has been extraordinary,” says Archonto Antonatu, Fundraising Manager at New Agriculture New Generation. “But they need the tools to adapt. Our program strengthens bee populations while training beekeepers in sustainable practices that will benefit them long term.”

The program improves the genetic quality of bees, making them more resistant to disease and better adapted to changing climates. This is crucial for strengthening the beekeeping sector and boosting agricultural productivity. By enhancing pollination, the program ensures better crop yields, directly contributing to food security.

Responding to Natural Disasters

In Thessaly, where Cyclone Daniel devastated the beekeeping sector, New Agriculture New Generation’s efforts have been critical. More than 40% of the region’s beehives were lost. Through the Queen Rearing Program, over 300 beekeepers received 26,500 enhanced queen cells, replenishing their bee colonies and helping restore agricultural productivity.

In addition to replenishing bee populations, the project trains beekeepers to better prepare for and respond to future natural disasters, making them more resilient to climate-related challenges.

Scaling Up and Moving Forward

The success of the program in Evia and Thessaly has generated interest in scaling it up. With support from the Agricultural University of Athens, New Agriculture New Generation’s Queen Rearing Program can be replicated in other Mediterranean regions facing similar climate challenges.