Sunflower sanctuary, hope for bees in southern Mexico
About 200,000 sunflowers are being planted in the sanctuary.
MEXICO (Reuters) - Mexico’s at-risk bees have found a new oasis in the southern state of Oaxaca.
Threatened by pesticides, intensive agriculture and the effects of climate change, a sanctuary of sunflowers set up by local farmers could be a literal lifesaver for the black and gold insects.
About 200,000 sunflowers are being planted in this area, helping to change the face of this barren landscape in Los Llanos Del Espinal, Oaxaca left bare by drought. Farmers have also placed bee hives about 800 metres (2,600 feet) from sunflower plantations to spur a population boost.
The local bee population has reportedly fallen because of bees pollinating on corn and chilli crops that are laced with pesticides, the effect of which has a wider impact on bee hives.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) has warned about the global decline in bee populations and its effects on food security. And in Mexico, the nearly 2,000 species of bees are at risk of extinction largely because of contaminated crops.
The sunflower is native to Central and North America, is commonly used for the extraction of edible oil and its bright colour attracts bees.
