With the support given by the General Directorate of Forestry within the scope of the “Honey Forests Action Plan”, the number of hives, which was 5.6 million in 2010, increased to 8 million as of this year.
“Honey Forests Action Plan” implemented by the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM), increased both the number of hives and the honey production in Turkey. The number of hives, which was 5.6 million in 2010, increased to 8 million as of this year, and honey production increased from 81 thousand tons to 110 thousand tons.
According to the information AA reporter obtained from OGM, in Turkey, which is one of the largest honey producers in the world, the institution that is working for sustainable production continues to establish “honey forests” in many regions.
OGM, which opened 75 thousand 274 hectares of land for the use of beekeepers throughout the country, formed a total of 585 honey forests in every region of Turkey including Mugla, which holds the world reserves of pine honey.
While the crude market value of honey production in Turkey is worth about $450 million, approximately 150 thousand households provide additional income through beekeeping. The added value of this production is estimated to reach approximately $1 billion.
OGM aims to increase the annual production of the honey to 125 thousand tons, including 40 thousand tons of pine honey, and to increase the number of honey forests to 720 in 2023.
Thanks to the “Honey Forests Action Plan” put into effect in 2010 in order to ensure sustainable production and provide income especially to forest villagers by preserving the ecological balance in honey, a significant increase in production is achieved.
Thanks to the project, which was implemented in 2013-2017 and later was developed to cover the 2018-2023 period, the number of hives from 2010 to 2020 increased from approximately 5.6 million to 8 million, and honey production increased from 81 thousand tons to 110 thousand tons.
The institution has established 167 honey forests on 17 thousand 998 hectares of land in the last 2.5 years and offered them to the use of beekeepers. ₺13.5 million was spent on the expenses of the said facilities and ₺2.5 million was spent on the honey forest maintenance expenses. In the last 10 years, honey forests facility and maintenance expenses have reached ₺48.5 million in total.
85% of honey production comes from forests
Since bees have important functions in maintaining the existence of many species in nature, thus in the continuity and diversification of plant gene resources, in the protection of biological diversity, considering forest trees such as chestnut, lime, acacia, rhododendron, and wild pear, and herbaceous plants and flowers in forest areas, 85% of the total honey production is obtained from the forest.
Creating honey forests has ecological benefits as well as economical benefits. Approximately 50% of the forests have a degraded structure. With the establishment of honey forests, the amount of degraded areas is reduced, and with the development of vegetation, soils are protected against erosion.
Suitable areas for beekeeping
People who will make use of the forest and carry out beekeeping activities must apply to the regional forest directorates of their location.
Before the honey forests are established, flora and vegetation studies are carried out in the area in question and the nectar and pollen plant density suitable for beekeeping is determined. Then, according to this information, sowing/planting needs are determined. In this way, the number of bee colonies to be deployed in the honey forest is calculated approximately.
Source: AA / Translated by Bazaar Times Team