Estonians learn to keep flower fields just for bees
Farmers can now get state support to set up forage fields for bees, thanks to experiments carried out by Rannu Seeme OÜ and researchers from the University of Tartu and the Estonian University of Life Sciences. The project has been shortlisted for the European Beekeeping Prize.
Rannu Seeme OÜ, an Estonian plant nursery, has been nominated for the European Beekeeping Award for its work in creating bee foraging flower fields best suited for Estonian conditions, where flowers were traditionally grown mainly for biomass and nitrogen enrichment, the daily Maaleht reports.
Even for seasoned farmers, incorporating flower fields into large-scale agriculture presents challenges, even in terms of identifying the most appealing plants that attract local bees and prolonging their flowering season.
Starting in 2022, Rannu Seeme collaborates with researchers from the University of Tartu and the University of Life Sciences, as well as agro-tech companies to study flower welfare and management in Estonia, promote the diversity of local pollinator species and so expand the honey bee foraging base.
The European Bee Award aims to identify and recognize good practice in the field of pollinator conservation and biodiversity.
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Editor: Kristina Kersa
Source: "Maaleht"
