Cambodia’s native honey bees are essential pollinators for both crops and forests, playing a key role in sustaining the country’s agricultural and rural economy. However, their populations are in decline due to a combination of global and local threats, including climate change, parasites, habitat loss, and unsustainable honey harvesting. Experts warn that without intervention, Cambodia could face serious consequences for its agriculture and ecosystems.
The country is home to four native honey bee species: the Asian giant honey bee (Apis dorsata), the eastern honey bee (Apis cerana), the red dwarf honey bee (Apis florea), and the black dwarf honey bee (Apis andreniformis). Additionally, western honey bees (Apis mellifera) have been introduced to support the beekeeping industry. While native bees are widespread across Cambodia, their numbers are shrinking, and their future is uncertain.
Factors driving the decline of these bees include widespread pesticide use, agricultural expansion, and unsustainable practices such as the harvesting of bee brood, which consists of eggs, larvae, and pupae. This practice, fueled by a high demand for protein-rich food sources, poses a direct threat to colony survival. Furthermore, habitat destruction caused by deforestation and intensified farming reduces the availability of nesting sites and floral resources for wild bees.
Despite their crucial role, the significance of native bees is often overlooked. Pollinators like bees contribute to increased crop yields and biodiversity, yet many people assume that forests and farms can sustain themselves without them. If local extinctions occur, the resulting disruptions to ecosystems and agriculture could have severe economic and environmental repercussions.
Raising awareness among policymakers, farmers, and the public is a key step in reversing the decline of native bee populations. Understanding the economic and ecological value of bees could drive the development of conservation policies and encourage sustainable alternatives.
Sustainable beekeeping is one such alternative that holds great potential for both conservation and livelihoods. With proper training and resources, beekeeping can provide income for rural communities while promoting biodiversity and forest conservation. When managed correctly, it serves as a way to balance economic development with environmental protection, ensuring a stable future for both Cambodia’s farmers and its natural ecosystems.
Cambodia’s dependence on agriculture makes the conservation of its pollinators particularly urgent. Without action, declining bee populations will impact farm productivity, threatening food security and rural livelihoods. However, by adopting sustainable practices and recognizing the value of native bees, it is still possible to restore populations and secure a thriving future for both agriculture and biodiversity.
