Climate change is a growing threat to beekeeping in Sri Lanka

How can beekeeping improve livelihoods in rural Sri Lanka? This is a focus of the SIANI expert group on pollination and also of two master students from the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). Abhishta Pamodi Amararathna and W.A.Ruwani Nisansala Weerasinghe recently visited living labs connected to the expert group as part of field work for their theses. Here they share their main insights.

On 20 May, it is time to celebrate World Bee Day, this year with the theme “Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all”. Abhishta Pamodi Amararathna and W.A.Ruwani Nisansala Weerasinghe believe this is an important day, not least for their native Sri Lanka where beekeepers face growing challenges. While studying for a master’s degree at SLU in Sweden, they got the opportunity to conduct field work in Sri Lanka in collaboration with the SIANI expert group, which is led by SLU. Abhishta is a student of the Food and Landscape programme while Ruwani studies Agroecology at SLU Alnarp.

In March and April, Abhishta and Ruwani visited beekeepers to understand their situation. They also met government officers to learn more about actions they can take to minimize climatic risks and improve beekeeping practices. We asked them to share impressions from their field work.

What did you do during your field work?

Abhishta: We observed beekeeping practices across Sri Lanka’s three ecological zones. Though it is a small island, Sri Lanka has an incredible diversity of climatic conditions and is divided into a Dry Zone, a Wet Zone, and an Intermediate Zone. We managed to see several communities in all three ecological zones.

• Wet Zone: Gampaha, Kegalle, Rathnapura
• Dry Zone: Anuradhapura, Vavuniya
• Intermediate Zone: Badulla, Monaragala

In the Kegalle district, we conducted a workshop with government officers from the Department of Agriculture and ten farmers to discuss the current situation of beekeeping in Sri Lanka and globally, with a focus on technology and sustainability. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to everyone involved who supported us, accompanied us on visits and shared their knowledge so that we could conduct our survey in such a short period of time.

What are your main impressions?

Ruwani: It was evident that farmers adapt their methods based on the prevailing climate conditions in their regions. However, despite these adaptations, beekeepers across all zones face increasing challenges due to climate change. Interviews with local farmers revealed a notable decline in bee populations over the past five years, which has had a direct impact on both agricultural productivity and the broader ecosystem.

Abhishta: There are great regional differences when it comes to technology adoption. Farmers in agricultural districts like Vavuniya and Anuradhapura were rarely aware of modern techniques for breeding and climatic adaption. But in Badulla and Monaragala, many demonstrated a good understanding of technical aspects and participated in awareness raising programmes, perhaps thanks to the nearby Beekeeping Development Unit in Bindunuwewa.

What are the main challenges for Sri Lankan beekeeping?

Ruwani: Climate change has had a significant impact on the behaviour of honeybees – changing weather conditions make the bees alter their foraging patterns, leading to less effective pollination and lower yields. The overuse of pesticides has led to the loss of bee colonies in several areas.

Many beekeepers also face other challenges, many lack proper equipment and knowledge about sustainable beekeeping techniques. Another concern is the declining interest in beekeeping among the younger generation. Many youths are either uninterested or fearful of handling bees, contributing to a decrease in the number of active beekeepers.

Market access is also a pressing issue; farmers in remote locations often struggle to sell their honey due to poor infrastructure and limited connectivity. Although a few innovative farmers have begun creating value-added products like lip balms and moisturizing creams using beeswax, they lack government support to expand and market their products effectively.

What can be done to improve the situation?

Abhishta: The picture is mixed, I would say, there were for example also areas where the younger generation was getting more involved in beekeeping, which is a promising sign. Especially in Monaragala, women are actively engaged in beekeeping, and many have adopted modern equipment and practices.

The government needs to play a more active role to address the challenges that exist. It can for example provide subsidies or financial assistance to ensure that more farmers get access to proper beekeeping equipment like high-quality bee boxes. Comprehensive training programmes can help farmers obtain necessary skills. The Department of Agriculture should share guidance and practical knowledge to enhance beekeeping practices. Investments in infrastructure and transportation in rural areas can increase market access. The language barrier must also be tackled, so that more online resources are available in the local languages Sinhala and Tamil, not only in English.

With better technical know-how, equipment and market access, beekeeping could become a more sustainable and profitable venture.

What are your main take-aways?

Ruwani: Honeybees are essential to the agricultural ecosystem due to their critical role in pollination. Therefore, understanding how climate change affects their behaviour is key to maintaining sustainable agricultural systems. The findings of this study help highlight the link between declining bee activity and reduced crop yields, which in turn impacts the economic stability of farming communities.

Abhishta: This experience has opened my eyes to the fascinating world of bees and the critical role they play in agriculture and ecosystems. I now realize how important it is to address climate challenges in relation to beekeeping, and I am inspired to expand my education in this area.

Both also wish to express their gratitude to their supervisor Paul Egan at SLU, Mr. Wimukthi who is the Director of the Beekeeping Unit in Sri Lanka and everyone who shared their time and knowledge.