Anguilla Bee Collective
Gender Affairs Anguilla is pleased to support the Anguilla National Trust (ANT) and the Agriculture Unit-Department of Natural Resources in the Anguilla Pollinator Project. The three agencies, through project funding, have embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at protecting Anguilla’s pollinators. A component of the project includes the development of a beekeeping collective – the Queen Bees Collective.
Over the past six months, 14 women have received theoretical and practical training in beekeeping and apiary management inclusive of rescuing of nuisance feral hives, feeding and maintenance of hives as well as health and safety in beekeeping. The Queen Bees Collective is trained and supervised by Master Beekeeper, Mr. Richard Matthias who is a key expert and advisor on the Anguilla Pollinator Project.
Gender Development Coordinator, Ms. Kemoloy Murphy remarked, “the Queen Bee Collective provides an avenue for women to participate in Anguilla’s green economy and is a great way to mainstream gender in our Agricultural Sector. Women play a central role in food production and are critical to local food security and environmental conservation efforts. The women in the Collective have been given the tools and techniques required to hone their skills and to bring awareness to the protection of Anguilla’s pollinators. The Unit is pleased to be on board to support this critical project and looks forward to its success.”
Executive Director, Ms. Farah Mukhida added, “When we were working with our partners to develop this Anguilla Pollinators Project, we were keen to include a component that would support sustainable alternative livelihood opportunities for women. At the same, we also wanted to ensure that the work that we do with regards to beekeeping is also sustainable in terms of not negatively impacting our other important native pollinators – the other insects, birds, and bats that also require a diverse habitat to survive. Through this Collective, we’re taking a holistic approach to beekeeping – recognizing that we need to enhance and maintain a healthy, resilient environment for the benefit of Anguilla’s biodiversity, economy, and our health. We are exceedingly grateful to have Richard working so closely with us. In less than one year, through his sharing of knowledge and expertise and with his unbounded patience, we’ve come quite a way in our beekeeping journey, and we’re excited to continue to develop our skills and to create a vibrant and supportive women’s Beekeeping Collective.”
The Collective aims to produce beehive products such as honey for local and potentially international markets as well as raise awareness of the importance of bees and pollinators. There are currently twelve colonies of bees being managed, with commitments to further feral hive rescue efforts.
The project is funded by the UK Government’s Darwin Plus Initiative and the European Commission’s BEST 2+ funding mechanism.
For more information about the Queen Bees Collective and the work of the Gender Affairs Anguilla, please contact the Gender Development Coordinator Ms. Kemoloy Murphy via email at Kemoloy.murphy@gov.ai or telephone at 497-3930 ext. 3505.
