Agriculture Ministry Planting 2,000 Fruit Trees To Increase Bee Habitats

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is planting 2,000 fruit trees across the island in a bid to increase habitats for honeybees.

The move comes as the vagaries of climate change, such as excessive rainfall and high wind, reduce the honeybees’ access to nectar and pollen, thereby affecting the country’s output in honey production.

State Minister, Hon. Franklin Witter, said that the distribution of the fruit trees is being done through the Apiculture Unit within the Ministry as well as various beekeepers’ associations across the island.

“This was done in selected residential areas, farmers’ holding areas and public green spaces aimed at replenishing the habitat for bees,” he said.

Mr. Witter was speaking at a recent World Bee Day event at the Ministry’s offices in Kingston where attendees received a small fruit tree as a parting gift.

The State Minister also participated in a tree-planting exercise at the end of the event.