Guerin Eric, Chheang Chhouk, Sinpoo Chainarong, Attasopa Korrawat, Noirungsee Nuttapol, Zheng Huoqing, Ling Tial C, Phokasem Patcharin, Disayathanoowat Terd
Asian Native Honey Bee Conservation and Sustainable Beekeeping, Bantey Chas Village, Slor Kram Commune, Siem Reap 171201, Krong Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Processing, National Meanchey University, Sisophon 010807, Banteay Meanchey, Cambodia.
Insects. 2025 Jan 3;16(1):39. doi: 10.3390/insects16010039.
The four honeybee species native to Cambodia-, , , -play a vital role in ecosystem health and agricultural productivity through their pollination activities. Beekeeping in Cambodia has primarily developed around the introduced species . However, it remains underdeveloped compared to neighboring countries, with wild honey collection continuing to play a significant role. Although native bees are not at immediate risk of extinction, their crucial ecological and socio-economic roles, coupled with the threats to their populations, necessitate the urgent implementation of conservation policies. The beekeeping sector in Cambodia faces numerous challenges that hinder its development. These include a lack of documentation and official data, limited access to productive apiaries, inappropriate pesticide practices, insufficient knowledge about bee health, diseases, and parasites, inadequate organization and representation of beekeepers, the high cost of Cambodian honey, and a lack of consumer awareness and trust in local bee products. This paper provides an overview of the status and distribution of honeybee species, along with the production, value chain, and trade of bee products in Cambodia. It examines the challenges of conserving native honeybees and developing the beekeeping sector while proposing strategies to strengthen bee conservation and support the growth of beekeeping in the country. Key recommendations focus on integrating bee conservation strategies with broader conservation goals, such as reducing deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and regulating the consumption of wild bee brood. Key strategies for the development of beekeeping are documenting and conserving bee floral resources and habitats, reducing the use of bee-toxic pesticides, developing research and training capacities in beekeeping, regulating bee imports, and enhancing quality and authenticity testing facilities. Additionally, building capacity among honey value chain stakeholders in areas such as quality control, authenticity, processing, packaging, and marketing is essential.
柬埔寨本土的四种蜜蜂——、、、——通过授粉活动在生态系统健康和农业生产力方面发挥着至关重要的作用。柬埔寨的养蜂业主要围绕引进的物种发展起来。然而，与邻国相比，其养蜂业仍不发达，野生蜂蜜采集仍发挥着重要作用。尽管本土蜜蜂没有立即面临灭绝风险，但它们至关重要的生态和社会经济作用，再加上其种群面临的威胁，使得迫切需要实施保护政策。柬埔寨的养蜂业面临着诸多阻碍其发展的挑战。这些挑战包括缺乏文献记录和官方数据、难以进入高产蜂场、农药使用不当、对蜜蜂健康、疾病和寄生虫的了解不足、养蜂人的组织和代表性不足、柬埔寨蜂蜜成本高昂以及消费者对当地蜂产品缺乏认识和信任。本文概述了柬埔寨蜜蜂物种的现状和分布，以及蜂产品的生产、价值链和贸易情况。它审视了保护本土蜜蜂和发展养蜂业所面临的挑战，同时提出了加强蜜蜂保护和支持该国养蜂业发展的策略。主要建议集中在将蜜蜂保护策略与更广泛的保护目标相结合，例如减少森林砍伐、促进可持续农业以及规范野生蜂幼虫的消费。养蜂业发展的关键策略包括记录和保护蜜蜂的花卉资源及栖息地、减少使用对蜜蜂有毒的农药、发展养蜂方面的研究和培训能力、规范蜜蜂进口以及加强质量和真伪检测设施。此外，在质量控制、真伪鉴别、加工、包装和营销等领域提高蜂蜜价值链利益相关者的能力至关重要。
