Project Coordinator of the FCT Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Mrs. Caroline Opara, has emphasised that bees play a vital role in conserving biodiversity and preserving ecosystems.
Opara, who stated this in an interview on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Abuja, noted that the importance of bees cannot be overstated, especially in maintaining ecological balance and supporting agricultural productivity.
“Bees are essential pollinators. In fact, they are responsible for about 75 per cent of pollination activities in agriculture, which is why they are often referred to as golden insects,” she said.
According to her, bee populations must be protected to ensure food security, especially as agricultural habitats continue to be threatened by environmental degradation.
She stressed the need for increased awareness and stakeholder engagement to preserve bee habitats and enhance apiculture.
“Apiculture is a key component of ACReSAL’s interventions, as honey is one of the non-timber products supported by the project,” Opara said.
She explained that because forestry is largely community-based, protecting the ecosystem goes hand-in-hand with sustaining livelihoods.
The coordinator added that ACReSAL would continue to promote bee conservation through awareness campaigns and support for local beekeeping initiatives.
Opara called on government agencies, farmers, and environmental groups to work together to safeguard bee populations as part of efforts to ensure food sustainability and ecological resilience.
Bees are responsible for a huge share of global pollination, with estimates suggesting they account for 70 to 90 per cent of all insect pollination activities.
By Abigael Joshua