Gen-bee: World Bee Day inspires a next generation of beekeepers

‘Bee engaged with youth’ is the theme for this year’s World Bee Day, which will be celebrated on 20 May by FAO, its Members, institutions, organizations and individuals worldwide. World Bee Day 2024 is a call for global action and encouraging young people to create a buzz of their own and help to strengthen pollination-friendly agricultural production and support sustainable agricultural practices.

Have you ever thought of being a beekeeper or learning more about what keeps bees buzzing? Beekeeping can create jobs for a new generation and young entrepreneurs can even start their own business with a small investment and little agricultural land.

Bees and other pollinators play a vital role in agrifood systems, contributing to food security and nutrition. By carrying pollen from one flower to another, they allow plants to reproduce and thereby facilitate food production. In fact, 75 percent of the world’s most productive food crops depend, at least in part, on pollinators.

‘’Pollination services are essential for the survival of our ecosystems and livelihoods,’’ said Pierre Ferrand, FAO Agriculture Officer and focal point for pollinators, outlining additional benefits. ‘’World Bee Day is an opportunity to rediscover ways to safeguard bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds,’’ he said, noting that 200 000 species of animals act as pollinators, including over 20 000 species of bees.

FAO will hold events on World Bee Day 2024 to raise awareness on the importance of sustainable beekeeping practices.