Beekeeping with Indigenous People in the Amazon

Challenge

There are less than 600 Maijuna individuals left living in four villages in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon making them one of the smallest and most vulnerable indigenous groups in Peru. On average, each Maijuna family earns $500 per year which works out to be less than $2 per day. The Maijuna are searching for sustainable development options and this project will train them to raise native stingless bees so that they can earn a living in an environmentally and socially responsible way.

Solution

We are training Maijuna families to raise stingless bees as a sustainable source of income so they can support themselves without damaging their biologically rich forests. Amazonian stingless bees produce a type of honey that is highly valued for its unique taste and medicinal qualities. All of the honey that the Maijuna produce will be easily sold due to strong and constant regional demand. Beekeeping will replace income from environmentally destructive activities like logging and overhunting.

Long-Term Impact

Maijuna men, women, and children from 50 families will be trained to raise stingless bees so that they can earn a sustainable living, ultimately replacing income from logging, overhunting, and other destructive activities. This will help to empower the Maijuna to conserve their heavily forested ancestral lands over the long-term ultimately protecting the incredible biological diversity of this area while simultaneously securing the basis of life and culture for this highly endangered group.

Resources

• http:/​/​www.oneplanet-ngo.org