Life is getting sweeter for bee farmers

Deeper understanding

In Hongshuitang, a village in northwestern Yunnan's Lijiang, Li Chengjun used to make a living by growing tobacco. In 2015, he was the first resident to pilot beekeeping in the village.

The 45-year-old now owns 76 hives and can make nearly 100,000 yuan a year by selling the honey they produce.

Keeping honey bees has not only greatly improved Li's living standards, but it has also changed his understanding of the relationship between humans and nature. He said the honey bees have taught him a lesson.

"We used to sacrifice natural resources to make money. But now, surprisingly, we have discovered that the greatest treasure we have is nature, which can lead us to a long-term prosperous life," Li said.

In Kuang's opinion, conservation of biodiversity can only operate sustainably with a scientifically planned green business and the support of local residents.

Recalling his work training beekeepers in the past decade, he said the improvement in local farmers' living standards brought about by running bee farms is the most rewarding result.

"Years ago, many impoverished villagers in northwestern Yunnan only turned on a single lightbulb at night to save the cost of electricity," he said. "But now, when I visit those same bee farmers, I find their newly renovated houses are so bright, with beautiful ceiling lights.

"As a bee expert, nothing was sweeter than the moment I noticed that the species I've been studying for decades (the eastern honey bee) had become so dear to the local people, and is greatly loved by the general public, thanks their hopes of a better future."