Contemporary meliponicultures in Nicaragua: challenges and opportunities from agroecology

Abstract

Meliponiculture is a legacy present in rural life in Nicaragua that is at risk of disappearing due to the loss of biocultural diversity. It sustains socioecological links that are indispensable for peasant agriculture and the reproduction of life. The objective of this study is to analyze the state of meliponiculture in Nicaragua, its growth, actors, processes and social, ecological and productive aspects. It focuses on participatory action research and the use of quali-quantitative tools. Organized meliponiculturists from all over the country came together to share location, motivations, knowledge, and the challenges of the activity. There are an estimated 11,963 meliponiculturists, who know at least 34 species of native stingless bees of which they breed 22 species. They practice different meliponicultures: traditional (80%), conservationist (11%) and re-signified (9%); each one involving different motivations, productive practices, socio-ecological processes. However, they maintain as common elements cultural roots and contemporary knowledge. We found that, since 2008, there has been a revitalization and growth of contemporary meliponicultures produced by the implementation of at least 16 regional projects executed by the state, peasant organizations, academia and external allies. A key aspect has been the leadership of people who have taken up meliponiculture as a pillar of their agroecological processes and cultural identity. The areas of greatest growth in meliponiculture coincide with the historical regions of indigenous peoples and solid agroecological processes. There are two visions in dialogue and conflict: the beekeeper focused on the health of the hives and the other focused on honey; however, there is dialogue between actors to resolve environmental, socio-cultural, commercial and innovation challenges.