In northeast Peru, women beekeepers in the village of Chilal de la Merced overcame severe climate impacts on their bee populations by securing $27,000 through UN climate funding. Adaptations, such as feeding the bees nutrient-rich syrup and planting drought-resistant flora, enabled them to build a thriving honey business, generating approximately $13,000 annually. Their efforts underscore the necessity of climate finance for rural communities, especially women, who often face barriers to accessing such resources.
In the mountainous region of northeast Peru, a group of women beekeepers have successfully salvaged both their bee populations and their businesses, thanks to funding from United Nations climate initiatives. The village of Chilal de la Merced, situated at over 2,600 meters (approximately 8,500 feet) in the Andes, has faced significant challenges in recent years due to severe weather conditions such as heavy rains, droughts, and hail storms linked to climate change. These adverse weather conditions have critically affected the bees’ ability to find food, resulting in dire situations where entire hives were found to be dead due to starvation. In early 2022, the women, led by Karina Villalobos, a 28-year-old spokeswoman for the Hojuelas de Miel (Honey Flakes) beekeepers association, sought assistance through Avanzar Rural, a joint initiative of the Peruvian government and the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The financial aid, totaling $27,000, was obtained through a challenging application process, culminating in a desperate need for action when faced with their bees’ imminent collapse. In response to the changing climate and the disruption of flowering seasons crucial for nectar collection, the beekeepers adapted their practices by feeding the bees a nutrient-rich syrup. Additionally, they utilized the grant to plant drought-resistant flora and cultivated a sustainable environment for their bees. The program not only aimed to sustain their current operations but also to ensure the long-term viability of their honey production. Despite the odds, funding for rural projects remains significantly limited. As noted by Juan Diego Ruiz, IFAD’s chief for the Andean region, a mere 2% of international climate funding reaches rural communities, particularly affecting women who face additional barriers to accessing financial resources. With women often being denied loans due to land ownership regulations favoring men, initiatives like Avanzar Rural are crucial. Over the past four years, Avanzar Rural has assisted 1,031 small businesses, impacting 17,557 individuals through its programs. The women beekeepers of Chilal de la Merced, after contributing 10% of their business plan costs, have since established a robust operation with 89 beehives, generating an annual revenue of approximately $13,000. Villalobos expressed a sense of empowerment, stating, “Today we are empowered and resilient women.” Through persistence, innovation, and collaboration with climate funding initiatives, these women are not only preserving their livelihoods but also fostering a sustainable and productive future for their community.
The article highlights the critical role of climate funding in supporting vulnerable rural communities, especially women, who are significantly impacted by climate change. It underscores the importance of adaptive measures in agriculture and specifically in beekeeping, an industry increasingly threatened by environmental changes. The text illuminates the challenges faced by rural women in Peru in securing financial aid and how initiatives like Avanzar Rural are essential in overcoming these obstacles. Furthermore, it provides insights into the socioeconomic dynamics that influence women’s access to resources and education in rural settings, revealing the broader implications of climate change on food security and rural livelihoods.
The experience of the women beekeepers in Chilal de la Merced serves as a powerful testament to the positive impact of targeted climate finance. Through their determination and strategic adaptation to changing climatic conditions, these women have transformed their challenges into opportunities, showcasing resilience in the face of adversity. Their success not only highlights the importance of funding for sustainable practices but also points toward a need for increased support for rural communities, particularly women, in navigating the complexities of climate change.
Original Source: www.france24.com
