Meliponicultura: potencialidades e limitações para a conservação de abelhas nativas e redução da pobreza

The northeastern region in Brazil is mainly characterized by social and economic vulnerability (monthly mean income of R$491.17) and increased environmental impacts. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the potentialities and limitations of meliponiculture for the conservation of native stingless bees and for the reduction of social discrepancies as an alternative income for local farmers. The data were qualitatively analyzed from a questionnaire directed to bee keepers in 24 municipalities of Bahia, the largest state in northeastern Brazil. Besides economic advantages, the bee keepers stated that they are concerned with conservation even though most of species raised by them are among the most productive ones. Most farmers rescued nests to avoid the human impacts, such as deforestation. The mean value per unit of their commercial products is higher than the per capita income of Bahia (R$630.45), being also higher than the mean costs of keeping the meliponaries. Therefore, the meliponiculture stands out as a potential source of income and a valuable tool for the conservation of native bees as long as effective public policies are implemented. Keywords: Social inequality, meliponaries, bee keeper