7.8 Billion Disappeared Honeybees... 48.4 Billion Won Invested Over 8 Years for Protection

78 Billion Winter Honeybees Disappeared Last Winter Due to Abnormal Climate
Joint Multi-Agency Research Led by Ministry of Environment to Address Mass Death Issues

On the afternoon of April 18th, honeybees are busily flying over peach blossoms blooming in the orchard area of Saam-ri, Dongnae-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon Province, collecting pollen. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Nayeon] The government will invest 48.4 billion KRW over eight years in research and development to preserve the honeybee ecosystem. This is in response to the decline in honeybee populations caused by abnormal weather and pests last winter.

The Rural Development Administration (RDA) announced on the 12th that it will promote a research and development project titled "Development of Nectar Source Tree Species and Ecosystem Conservation for Honeybee Protection" in collaboration with related ministries (Korea Forest Service, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Ministry of Environment, Korea Meteorological Administration).

One of the causes of nationwide winter colony losses is analyzed to be abnormal weather and climate change, which has led to a sharp decrease in the distribution area of the black locust tree, a major food source for honeybees, causing disruptions in food supply.

These environmental changes make honeybee activity difficult, resulting in reduced honey production and weakened immunity of honeybees. Experts predict that damage and economic losses caused by the destruction of the honeybee ecosystem will gradually increase.

This project was established to address the problem of honeybee ecosystem destruction due to various environmental changes such as abnormal weather.

The lead agency, RDA, will promote the development of technologies to enhance robustness such as honeybee breeding and pest management, as well as technologies to strengthen pollination ecosystem services.

The Korea Forest Service will be responsible for selecting nectar source trees suitable for climate change and developing and disseminating models for nectar source plantations. The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency will develop honeybee disease diagnosis and control technologies, the Korea Meteorological Administration will develop a nectar source flowering prediction model, and the Ministry of Environment will manage invasive pests such as the Asian hornet.

In particular, the research and development will be divided into two phases: Phase 1 (basic development research) and Phase 2 (field demonstration), linking the developed technologies to field dissemination.

Bang Hyesun, head of the RDA project planning team, stated, "We plan to expand and strengthen cooperation among related ministries to overcome the vulnerability of ecosystem services and enhance the resilience of the beekeeping industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.