Imsil-gun Launches Support for Beekeeping Damage Farmers' Business Stability

Published 19 Apr.2022 14:07(KST)

[Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Nosik] Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk, has begun full-scale support by injecting emergency contingency funds to stabilize the management of beekeeping farms struggling with bee abandonment and disease damage.

The head of Imsil-gun stated on the 19th, "Recently, beekeeping farms have been reporting damage due to winter bee deaths caused by abnormal winter bee activity and pests and diseases resulting from continuous abnormal weather," and added, "I have strongly instructed the injection of emergency contingency funds to stabilize the management of these farms."

It has been confirmed that more than half of the 128 beekeeping farms in Imsil have suffered damage.

The damage confirmed so far is estimated to be about 5,400 colonies, and as additional investigations are underway, the scale of the damage is expected to increase.

Jo Sunju from Deokchi-myeon, who is engaged in beekeeping full-time, had about 300 colonies, but due to approximately 50% bee damage, she has given up honey harvesting this year and is focusing solely on bee breeding.

Most of the damaged farms are in similar situations.

Accordingly, the county will invest 190 million KRW in contingency funds (50% county funds, 50% self-payment) to establish a production base for the beekeeping industry, which has been shrinking due to winter bee disappearance and disease damage.

To secure the breeding base for beekeepers by increasing bee immunity, the county plans to support beekeeping equipment such as bee feed for farms struggling with pollen shortages and reduced honey production caused by abnormal weather.

In addition, with 32 million KRW (100% county funds), the county will actively respond to damage prevention and recurrence by supporting treatment drugs for bee infectious diseases such as Varroa mite disease and foulbrood disease.

A county official said, "We will do our best to help beekeeping farms suffering from damage to recover their management as soon as possible," and added, "We will also focus on publicity to ensure that all affected farms receive support without omission."

Imsil=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Nosik sd2481@asiae.co.kr