BeeProtect
System to alert beekeepers and protect bees from pesticide poisoning
Description
BeeProtect is an online application through which farmers can notify beekeepers of planned pesticide applications, thereby preventing bees from being poisoned. It operates primarily as a tool for informing beekeepers when, where and what plant protection product sprayings will take place in the vicinity of their apiaries. BeeProtect allows the sharing of information between three key stakeholders: beekeepers, farmers, and the local/national administration, and at the same time, the application helps keep farmers informed about the installation of beehives near their agricultural fields.
Technology
BeeProtect is a web-based application into which farmers input data regarding their planned pesticide applications, including the date, time and the type of product, directly from their smartphones or computers at least two days prior to the scheduled spray. The information is immediately transmitted to all beekeepers who have installed the application and who have beehives located within a 7 km radius of the treatment area, which is the maximum flight distance of bees. Beekeepers are thus kept informed about scheduled pesticide applications in their locations in advance, and so can take the appropriate measures to safeguard their bees on the day. Likewise, farmers can view the number of beehives within a 7 km radius of their location, although the exact locations of the hives are not disclosed. The app has mapping capabilities that allow the inputted information to be displayed, spatially overlaid and queried by the stakeholders, including the location of apiaries, cadastral information and projected insecticide sprayings. The app also allows communication between stakeholders and the reporting of incidents (e.g., bee poisonings).
Target
The main users of BeeProtect are farmers of different sizes and beekeepers, society as a whole can benefit given the implications of its purpose for the biodiversity and ecology of the territory. Smallholders and medium- and large-sized farms can benefit from using the BeeProtect web application to input data on their planned pesticide applications, as in doing so, they can contribute to the protection of bees and help to promote sustainable farming practices. The public sector can also make use of this app to promote the protection of bees and the environment, given the key roles they play in the regulation of pesticide use and the promotion of sustainable agriculture. Academia and research institutions can use the app to gather data on pesticide use and its impact on bee populations, leading to well-informed research studies and policy decisions related to the protection of bees and the environment. Finally, civil society organizations (CSOs) can use the app to raise awareness of the importance of bee protection and sustainable farming practices, and can also use the app to collect data on pesticide use and to advocate for more bee-friendly policies and practices. From January 2023, all natural and legal persons who intend to apply chemical treatments to land in the Republic of Moldova are obliged to record details of their applications on the BeeProtect information system at least 48 hours before starting the treatment.
Business model
The BeeProtect web and mobile applications were developed with the support of the USAID High Value Agriculture Activity carried out in the Republic of Moldova. The app is free to use, requiring only registration on the website.
Impact
The BeeProtect web and mobile application is a nationwide communication tool for beekeepers and farmers that can have significant positive impacts on both agricultural producers and beekeepers. By providing a app for farmers to input data on their planned pesticide applications, the app allows beekeepers to be informed in advance about the nearby use of chemicals that may harm their bees, allowing them to take the necessary measures to protect their operations through temporary relocations or the covering of their hives, protecting the health of the bee population, which is crucial for agriculture given the key role played by bees in pollination. By ensuring the safety of bees, farmers can also benefit from increased crop yields due to better pollination. The web application promotes communication and collaboration between farmers and beekeepers, which can foster a better understanding of each other's needs and concerns.
Partners
USAID; Tekwill; National Association of Beekeepers of the Republic of Moldova; National Agency of Food Safety (ANSA); Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA); the Government of Sweden
Four Betters
Better production
Better environment
Better life
