Sustentabilidade socioeconômica-ambiental da meliponicultura na Paraíba, Nordeste do Brasil

Abstract

Ecosystem services, which refer to the benefits obtained from ecosystem functions, are being degraded or used in an unsustainable way, despite being of great environmental, social and economic importance It is worth highlighting the various ecosystem services provided by bees, especially native bees, with emphasis on pollination and meliponical products (from meliponiculture). Beekeeping provides several benefits and can be an important source of income through the sale of the products generated. Stingless beekeeping is considered an activity with potential for the conservation of stingless bees and for promoting sustainable development. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the sustainability of meliponiculture in Paraíba, considering economic, social and environmental aspects. The data were obtained from questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and were analyzed considering the stages of the MESMIS methodological tool. A total of 35 beekeepers were interviewed in twenty municipalities in the state of Paraíba. The results show that beekeeping does not have an established production chain in Paraíba, but that it has great potential to become stronger. The activity can be considered partially sustainable in the economic dimension and environmental dimension and unsustainable in the social dimension, with little difference between the scenario observed for beekeepers in the Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga. In addition, the results showed indicators of the three dimensions of sustainability that need attention and interventions, such as associations and cooperatives, technical training, certification, technical support and management technologies, access to financing, registration of the beekeeper with IBAMA, etc. It is important to emphasize the urgent need to regulate the activity and implement public policies, envisioning beekeeping as a production chain capable of promoting sustainable development, legally regulated, with potential for growth and income generation, and also contributing to the conservation of stingless bees and the ecosystem services associated with them.