In northeast Peru, women beekeepers have successfully utilized UN climate funding to adapt to extreme weather conditions, saving their bees and building a profitable honey business. Despite the challenges posed by climate change and systemic barriers to funding for women, these beekeepers have demonstrated resilience and innovation, illustrating the positive impact of targeted climate assistance in rural communities.
In the highlands of northeast Peru, a remarkable initiative led by a group of women beekeepers has transformed their challenges into successes thanks to funding from United Nations climate programs. These women have not only salvaged their bee populations from extreme weather conditions attributable to climate change but have also established a thriving honey business. Chilal de la Merced, a small village located at an elevation of 2,600 meters (8,500 feet) in Peru’s Cajamarca region, has faced severe climatic adversities, including persistent heavy rainfall, droughts, frost, and hail. These unpredictable weather patterns have severely impacted the bees’ foraging capabilities. In early 2022, due to excessive rainfall, the bees remained in their hives and ultimately starved. “When we checked the hives, we found the boxes full of dead bees,” recalled Karina Villalobos, the spokesperson for the Hojuelas de Miel (Honey Flakes) beekeepers association. In response to these dire circumstances, Ms. Villalobos and 14 of her peers sought financial assistance from the Avanzar Rural program, designed by the Peruvian government in collaboration with the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to support vulnerable rural food producers. However, immediate results were challenging; climate change does not allow time for grant processing. Following the acquisition of $27,000 in climate funding, the women found themselves on the brink of collapse. Facing the imminent threat of extinction for their bees and the dissolution of their cooperative, the group adapted by providing the bees with nourishing syrup and incorporating native plants and drought-resistant flowers around their hives. This initiative not only provided immediate food security for the bees but also expanded their habitat into surrounding forests, ultimately addressing both current and future challenges posed by climate change. Despite the limited international climate financing reaching rural regions and the additional challenges women face in accessing financial resources, the Avanzar Rural program has successfully supported 1,031 small businesses in Peru over the past four years, benefiting more than 17,000 individuals. “Because the owner of the land is the man, how can we get a loan?” lamented Ms. Villalobos, showcasing the systemic barriers women encounter. Nonetheless, through resilience and determination, her cooperative of beekeepers has flourished, currently operating 89 beehives and generating an annual revenue of approximately $13,000. “Today we are empowered and resilient women,” she exclaimed with pride.
The plight of women beekeepers in Peru highlights the intersection of gender, agriculture, and climate change resilience. Rural communities, especially women, are disproportionately affected by climate change, facing barriers to funding and resources necessary for adaptation. Climate initiatives such as the Avanzar Rural program work towards bridging this gap, empowering rural women to not only survive but thrive against the backdrop of environmental challenges. By focusing on innovative solutions and sustainable practices, these women contribute to local economies and ecosystems.
In conclusion, the efforts of the women beekeepers in Chilal de la Merced serve as a profound example of resilience in the face of climate change. Through strategic adaptations, community support, and targeted funding from international programs, these women are not only preserving their livelihoods but also contributing to the sustainability of their ecosystem. This initiative stands as a testament to the potential for empowerment and economic development among rural women in Peru, despite the significant hurdles they face.
Original Source: www.france24.com
