The apple trees are in blossom, whispering promises of nectar to bees that emerge from hives meticulously placed across orchards in South Africa's Elgin and Grabouw regions. These hives, brought mainly from the Overberg, house Cape honeybees (Apis mellifera capensis), a species unique to the region, essential for pollinating over 80% of the country's apples and pears. This critical ecosystem service supports agricultural sustainability, contributing to an industry valued at over R10.3 billion annually.
Danie Vorster, founder of the Overberg Honey Company, manages approximately 120 million honeybees primarily for fruit pollination, with honey production as a secondary income. He emphasizes the importance of these pollinators, noting that a single jar of honey requires bees to visit around two million flowers. "Caring for honeybees is crucial for their survival—and ours," says Shelly Fuller of the WWF Nedbank Green Trust, which works to conserve the Cape honeybee through sustainable hive management and restoring indigenous forage.
Pollination challenges arise from insufficient natural forage during fruit blossom season, prompting beekeepers to manage portable hives to meet farmers' needs. Efforts are underway to provide year-round forage by restoring indigenous vegetation and removing invasive species like eucalyptus, which, despite environmental concerns, offer vital late-summer forage.
Collaborative initiatives in fynbos-rich areas like Langkloof aim to balance agricultural productivity with biodiversity conservation. Farmers such as Paul Cluver Family Wines have adopted sustainable practices, dedicating land to fynbos and planting cover crops to improve soil health and provide additional forage for bees. Many farmers also avoid pesticide use during pollination to protect bee populations.
The project, supported by organizations like the South African National Biodiversity Institute and Living Lands, includes building indigenous nurseries and quantifying the economic value of honeybee pollination. These efforts not only safeguard honeybee populations but also enhance the resilience of ecosystems, securing a sustainable future for agriculture and biodiversity in South Africa.
Source: Food for Mzansi