In Peru, women beekeepers in Chilal de la Merced have utilized UN climate funding to save their hives from destruction caused by extreme weather, transforming their challenges into a profitable honey business. They adapted to climate change by nourishing their bees and enhancing their environment with drought-resistant plants. For the past four years, initiatives like Avanzar Rural have provided crucial financial support to empower small rural businesses, particularly benefiting women in agriculture.
In the mountainous region of northeast Peru, a committed group of women beekeepers in the village of Chilal de la Merced has successfully rescued their bees from the brink of disaster, thanks to financial assistance from United Nations climate initiatives. Amid the backdrop of severe weather events exacerbated by climate change, the women have not only salvaged their beekeeping operations but also established a flourishing honey business. Chilal de la Merced, located at an elevation of over 2,600 meters (approximately 8,500 feet) in Peru’s Cajamarca region, has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including heavy rains, droughts, and frost, which have significantly impacted local agriculture and biodiversity. Such environmental changes have compromised the bees’ foraging abilities. In early 2022, unprecedented rainfall forced the bees to remain in their hives, leading to mass starvation. Karina Villalobos, a 28-year-old spokesperson for the Hojuelas de Miel (Honey Flakes) beekeepers association, reflected on the dire situation: “When we checked the hives, we found the boxes full of dead bees.” In response to their plight, Villalobos and her peers applied for a grant from Avanzar Rural, a collaboration between the Peruvian government and the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), designed to assist small-scale food producers in climate-vulnerable regions. After securing $27,000 in funding—a process that was fraught with challenges—the beekeepers found themselves on the brink of crisis just months later, facing the daunting prospects of losing both their bees and their livelihood. Determined to act, the group implemented strategic adaptations to withstand the erratic weather patterns affecting the flowering seasons vital for bee sustenance. They nourished the bees with a mixture of sugar syrup and vitamins while simultaneously enhancing their surroundings with drought-resistant native flora, such as arum lilies and coffee plants. This initiative not only expanded the habitat for their bees but also improved the chances of their colonies thriving in an uncertain climate. Juan Diego Ruiz, IFAD’s chief for the Andean region, highlighted the ongoing neglect of rural communities in accessing international climate finance, stating that less than 2 percent of such funding reaches these vulnerable groups. He elaborated on the particular challenges faced by women: “Because the owner of the land is the man, so how can we get a loan?” Despite these hurdles, women like Villalobos are essential to countering the immediate impacts of climate change. Over the past four years, Avanzar Rural has directed resources to 1,031 small businesses in Peru, benefiting 17,557 individuals. The IFAD contributed $24 million, complemented by an additional $45 million from the Peruvian government. In order to qualify for the program, the beekeepers of Chilal de la Merced were required to invest 10 percent of their business plan’s total cost. Currently, Hojuelas de Miel manages 89 beehives and generates an annual revenue of approximately $13,000. Villalobos expressed pride in their accomplishments, declaring, “Today we are empowered and resilient women.”
The situation faced by the women beekeepers of Chilal de la Merced is emblematic of broader global challenges posed by climate change, particularly in rural and agricultural sectors. As erratic weather patterns disrupt traditional farming and beekeeping practices, vulnerable populations, especially women who are often marginalized in economic frameworks, find it increasingly difficult to maintain their livelihoods. The international climate funding landscape remains skewed, with a significant portion not reaching those who are most at risk. Consequently, support through initiatives like Avanzar Rural is vital in helping communities adapt to these environmental challenges while promoting gender equality and economic empowerment.
In summary, the story of the women beekeepers in Peru illustrates how climate funding can be pivotal in supporting vulnerable communities facing the stark realities of climate change. Through their resilience and proactive measures, these women have not only salvaged their livelihoods but have also fostered an empowering business model that can serve as an inspiration to others facing similar adversities. As the discussions surrounding climate finance continue, it is imperative that more attention is directed towards rural populations, particularly women, to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and community resilience.
Original Source: www.france24.com
