Empowering Women Beekeepers in Peru: A Climate Resilience Success Story
In northeast Peru, women beekeepers have utilized United Nations climate funding to adapt their hives to extreme weather linked to climate change, successfully preserving their livelihoods and building a sustainable honey business amidst environmental challenges. Their resilience, underpinned by community support and innovative farming practices, serves as a testament to the efficacy of targeted climate finance programs.
In the mountainous region of northeast Peru, a group of resilient women beekeepers has successfully navigated the adversities posed by climate change, notably extreme weather, through the support of United Nations climate funding. Amidst the changing climate conditions, the residents of Chilal de la Merced—a village situated at an altitude of over 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) in the Cajamarca region—have faced significant challenges, including heavy rains, droughts, and severe frosts. These climatic shifts have adversely impacted local bee populations, disrupting their foraging habits and leading to significant losses in beekeeping operations. Reflecting on a particularly harsh period in early 2022, Karina Villalobos, the 28-year-old spokeswoman for the Hojuelas de Miel beekeepers association, recounted the disheartening discovery of hives filled with dead bees due to starvation after relentless rains prohibited the bees from foraging. In response to this crisis, Villalobos and her colleagues applied for a grant in collaboration with Avanzar Rural, an initiative launched by the Peruvian government in partnership with the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) aimed at bolstering food production among small-scale farmers in climate-vulnerable regions. Shortly after securing a total of $27,000 in funding, the women faced dire circumstances, questioning their future and the sustainability of their beekeeping efforts. Recognizing the urgency for action to save both their bees and their livelihoods, the beekeepers sought innovative solutions to adapt to the evolving climatic patterns. They implemented measures such as supplementing their bees’ diets with a nutrient-rich syrup and creating a favorable environment by cultivating native plants that are more resilient to varying weather conditions. These plants, once fully grown, were strategically relocated to expand the bees’ habitat. It is crucial to note that a mere two percent of international climate finance is allocated to aid rural communities, small-scale farmers, and Indigenous groups, as highlighted by Juan Diego Ruiz, IFAD’s chief for the Andean region. Women in Peru face additional obstacles in securing financing, traditionally due to land ownership being predominantly male-centric. However, women like Villalobos stand at the forefront of climate change impacts, advocating for equity and resilience in their agricultural practices. The Avanzar Rural initiative has significantly impacted rural economic growth in Peru, supporting over 1,031 small businesses and benefiting more than 17,500 individuals in the past four years. Committed to contributing to financial stability, the Hojuelas de Miel association successfully managed to cover ten percent of their operational costs before receiving initial funding, utilizing the resources to enhance their capabilities and improve their livelihoods. Today, with the collective strength of 89 operational beehives, the association generates approximately $13,000 annually. Villalobos expressed a sense of empowerment and resilience, affirming, “Today we are empowered and resilient women.”
Climate change significantly affects ecosystems and ultimately livelihoods around the world. In the rural communities of Peru, particularly among women beekeepers, the consequences of extreme weather events have become increasingly pronounced. The beekeeping sector, vital for both local economies and biodiversity, is under threat due to fluctuations in flowering seasons and unprecedented weather patterns. The Avanzar Rural program, a collaborative effort between the Peruvian government and IFAD, aims to address these challenges by providing essential financial support to rural agricultural endeavors, especially those led by women who often face gender-based barriers.
The initiative spearheaded by the Hojuelas de Miel beekeepers, supported by UN climate funding through the Avanzar Rural program, illustrates a successful model for grassroots resilience against climate change. By adapting to new environmental challenges and implementing sustainable practices, these women have not only salvaged their livelihoods and bee populations but are also enhancing their communities. This case exemplifies the vital intersection of climate finance, gender equity, and sustainable agricultural practices.
Original Source: www.france24.com
