Around the Caribbean

President of the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. Issues Call to Action onWorld Bee Day 2025.

‘Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All’On this World Bee Day, the National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. Joins in the globalcommunity in celebrating the essential role bees play in sustaining life on Earth – and in soundingthe alarm about the mounting threats these little pollinators face.All bees from honey bees, to native wild species serve as the great pollinators of our planet. Theirtireless work is essential to global food security, as they enable the growth of many fruits,vegetables, and crops that nourish both people and animals. Beyond agriculture, bees are centralto preserving biodiversity and maintaining the delicate balance of our natural ecosystems.Yet, despite their importance, bees face growing threats. Habitat loss, the spread of diseases,climate change, and the continued use of harmful pesticides are placing immense pressure on beepopulations. These challenges call for action, greater public awareness, and unified commitmentto sustainable practices.The National Beekeepers Cooperative Society Ltd. recognizes the urgency of this moment. Thatis why we have placed sustainable beekeeping at the heart of our mission. We are proud to havesuccessfully completed an advanced mentorship program, and we are currently implementing threemajor training initiatives: Volume 2 of our Mentorship Program, our New Entrants Course, and aBasic Beekeepers Course in collaboration with the Anse Kounari Tourism Association. Theseprograms are laying the foundation for a stronger, more knowledgeable beekeeping communityacross Dominica.As a Cooperative, we are also working to strengthen our membership and expand the volume ofhoney sold under the cooperative brand. These efforts are not only about growing our industry butalso about reducing Dominica’s dependency on imported honey and bee products, while improvingthe livelihoods of our local producers.Just a few months ago, a small delegation proudly represented the cooperative at the NationalHoney Show in Saint Lucia, further strengthening our regional collaboration and visibility.We take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy,the Cooperative Division, and our dedicated members for their continued support andcollaboration. Their commitment has been instrumental to the progress we are making.On this special day, we encourage all Dominicans to join us in safeguarding our pollinators. Byplanting bee-friendly trees, supporting local honey producers, valuing locally made products, andreducing our reliance on harmful chemicals, each of us can contribute to a healthier environment.We are eager to forge meaningful partnerships with farmers, schools, 4-H clubs and otherorganizations to ensure a sustainable future for beekeeping in Dominica.This year’s World Bee Day theme ‘Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all’ speaks directly to theheart of our work. Bees, by their very nature, collaborate to support life- not just their own, butours too. They pollinate the crops that feed us, sustain biodiversity, and remind us that nature’sbalance is essential to our survival.As a cooperative, we draw inspiration from the bees themselves: working collectively, buildingresilience, and ensuring that our people are nourished – not just with food, but with opportunity,knowledge and pride in our local products.