Beekeeping development in the province of Las Tunas has faced two very extreme natural events that have tested the human quality of producers and the support of the local base business unit (UEB) to minimize losses.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- This was explained to the press by the director of the entity, Luis Manuel Peralta Agüero, who mentioned the intense drought that affected the territory from November 2022 to April of the current calendar, which made it impossible to comply with the production plan.

He noted that the prolonged rainfall in recent days will be a long-term benefit, because of its impact on most of the honey plants. However, 311 beehives were reported to have been affected, 146 of them located in the municipalities of the southern zone.

Peralta Agüero pointed out that the producers with the greatest damage had already been visited and a diagnosis of their most urgent needs was made to recover the usual productive results. He also pointed out that in Amancio very useful resources were delivered.

He also said that the UEB specialists and the 144 beekeepers are preparing to reach the last quarter of the year in better conditions since traditionally 57 percent of the honey production is collected during this period.

In general, expectations coincide in the possible fulfillment of the plan, which this time is based on 11,500 hives and amounts to 521.6 tons of this important item, as well as wax and propolis and, to a lesser extent, pollen, and royal jelly.

By the year 2030, Las Tunas plans to collect 750 tons and this goal implies increasing the number of producers and hives, establishing new queen beehives, and consolidating the genetic improvement program to have individuals more tolerant to diseases and with higher yields.