The Apiculture Platform of Kenya (APK) was established in August 2016 and registered as a society in 2017. The goal of the Platform is to study, conserve and enhance the contribution of bees, honeybees and other pollinators to food and nutritional security for improved livelihoods for social economic development.
Most people, when they think of bees, think of honey, the sweetest gift from the honey bee. Most people never think of how bees pollinate our crops, directly affecting Virginia agriculture. Approximately 1/3 of all our food requires pollinating by bees or other pollinators.
Some important fruit and vegetable crops which require honey bee pollination include apples, blueberries, strawberries, cantaloupes, squash, and watermelons. The yield on these crops would be severely diminished without the honey bee.
The populations of native bees has been in decline for several decades due to environmental stress and various pests. Hobby beekeepers can be an important factor in rebuilding populations and encouraging species health and diversity.
Although most honey bees are kept in rural settings, beehives are often seen in suburban backyards, cities, and even on rooftops. Many home gardeners keep a few hives to pollinate their fruits trees, vegetable and flower gardens.
Membership is open who wishes to further the interests of the bees and the Platform. The platform is open to global bee stakeholders including students beekeepers, honey packers and traders, researchers, bee equipment manufacturers, and corporate bodies.
