Investigation by: Yahya Al-Dhubaibi & Ashjan Bagash
Aziz Al-Maj’ashi, a beekeeper from the Dhanae Al-Sha'b area in the Al-Udayn district of Ibb governorate, has lost over 500 beehives he owned, to which he had dedicated significant efforts in raising. This loss was incurred due to a storm carrying a mist of rain and waves of toxic pesticides, resulting from indiscriminate spraying operations conducted by authorities to combat mosquitoes in adjacent areas.
Al-Maj’ashi was completely unaware of what was happening, as he had surrounded his beehives with great care and love, making them a prime destination for those seeking high-quality honey. However, one morning, he woke up to a real disaster, witnessing the ground covered with dead bees, as if they were fallen autumn leaves.
The tragedy of Al-Maj’ashi extends beyond the loss of his livelihood; it has also affected the sustenance of his family, consisting of ten children, a father, and a mother. This family used to rely entirely on selling honey to make ends meet.
The fifty-year-old beekeeper, speaking to "Khuyut" with deep anguish, said, "I lost my sole source of livelihood overnight. Initially, I couldn't comprehend the reason behind the mass death of all my beehives. However, I later learned the cause, but it was too late!"
Indiscriminate Spraying
Prior to the holy month of Ramadan, authorities responsible for combating mosquitoes conducted a wide-scale spraying operation using toxic insecticides. This operation targeted various districts in the governorates of Al-Hodeida, Raymah, Al Mahwit, Hajjah, Dhamar, Ibb, and Taiz. As a result, bee colonies were exposed to mortality and death, reaching alarming levels in some cases. This adversely affected bee colony stimulation, weakening their hives and overall production. Moreover, the repercussions extended beyond this, as the indiscriminate spraying operations caused adverse effects on the surrounding environment and the bee pastures themselves.
Regarding this tragedy, the beekeeper Mohammed Sadiq from the district of Al-Sukhnah in Al-Hodeida governorate, spoke to "Khuyut," stating: "The colonies near the spraying areas were significantly affected, with some experiencing a mortality rate of 50%. This led to their weakening and cessation of visits to the pastures, ultimately resulting in their death."
Sadiq further adds, "The bees suffered partial damage in the area between the district of Al Sukhnah in Al-Hodeida governorate and the district of Bilad Al-Ta'am in Raymah governorate. The residents of these districts rely heavily on beekeeping as a primary source of income, which has had a negative impact on the lives of families in these areas."
He continues: "The spraying operation was conducted in Al Sukhnah district without prior notice, as the district was not among the designated areas for spraying. This reflects a lack of vision and planning on the part of the relevant authorities, primarily the Ministry of Health."
In this context, beekeeper Razzaz Abdo recounts the destruction of his beehives in Wadi Anah, situated in the district of Jabal Ras in Al-Hodeida , stating: " My apiary, housing 700 local bee colonies, fell victim to poisoning resulting from the indiscriminate spraying of mosquito pesticides. As a consequence, numerous colonies perished entirely, leaving only a scant few surviving. Despite my efforts to dissuade the mosquito control team from spraying near the hives, they persisted, asserting that the pesticides exclusively targeted mosquitoes without adverse effects on bees. Presently, I endure the repercussions of this calamity, bracing for the losses we shall inevitably endure in the forthcoming years."
Destruction of Beekeepers' Livelihoods
Indeed, bee colonies play a vital role in agricultural ecosystems, fostering mutual benefits through pollination. As bees gather nectar from flowers for sustenance and honey production, they concurrently facilitate the pollination of flowers. Ali Mahrez, the head of the Pesticide Experiments Department at the General Plant Protection Administration within the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Sana'a, underscored this crucial relationship to "Khuyut." He emphasized, "Yemeni bees represent a national treasure warranting safeguarding from the detrimental effects of pesticides. Moreover, the foraging bees significantly contribute to flower pollination, thereby amplifying crop yields by as much as 70%."
On the other hand, beekeepers have raised concerns regarding the timing of pesticide spraying, particularly concerning its synchronization with the blooming period of specific trees. Notably, the Sidr tree, renowned for yielding Sidr honey, and the Acacia tree, colloquially referred to as Sumur, are among those affected. The Acacia tree, characterized by its enduring nature and distinctive spherical crown, boasts branches that cascade downward, almost touching the ground. It is considered one of the best honey-bearing flowering trees, producing the finest types of honey known as Sumur honey or (Acacia tortilis)
As for beekeeper Mohammed Al-Afari from Hajjah Governorate, he has articulated concerns regarding the adverse effects of indiscriminate pesticide spraying on beehives. He highlights that these spraying operations occur at crucial junctures of the year, notably during the bee breeding season and the Sidr nectar collection period. Consequently, such practices result in profound losses for beekeepers, contributing to the collapse of numerous bee colonies.
In his interview with "Khuyut," Al-Afari emphasizes that the pesticides used can affect bees from long distances, as the poison spreads through the air and reaches the beehives, thereby endangering the lives of the bees.
Based on the observations of beekeeper Al-Afari, the mosquito control operation lacks thorough planning in evaluating the effectiveness of the pesticides used. The mosquitoes, due to their resistant nature, are not significantly affected by the pesticides, unlike bees, which are more vulnerable and prone to rapid impact due to their susceptibility. This vulnerability puts bees at risk of extinction, posing a threat to this vital economic sector as a whole.
“Beekeepers are lamenting the mass death of their bees, which constitute their sole source of livelihood, following the pesticide spraying by the Ministry of Health combating mosquitoes or the Ministry of Agriculture combating locusts. Meanwhile, both ministries are accusing the farmers themselves of ignorance and improper pesticide use.”
Evading Responsibility
In this context, officials from the mosquito control department, represented by the National Malaria Control Program at the Ministry of Public Health and Population, denied conducting any spraying in farms and fields.
In this regard, Mohammed Al-Hadi, Deputy Program Director, spoke to "Khuyut" about the spraying method used in the control program, stating: "The spraying process is exclusively carried out inside homes, targeting the surfaces of walls from the inside using a water-based pesticide, not a gaseous one. This method has no impact on bees since bees do not enter homes."
He further adds, "We also make sure not to spray villages where beehives are located, to avoid accusations of negligence and disregard for the lives of bees. However, on the other hand, there are agricultural pesticides that are globally banned due to their impact on bees, which are available and accessible to any citizen in our country. Unfortunately, citizens spray farms with these pesticides without coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture, without considering the type of pesticides used, and without even providing protective measures for those carrying out the spraying. This leads to the destruction of bee pastures areas, resulting in their deaths, and jeopardizing public health in open-air areas."
Al-Hadi continues, saying, "We coordinate with officials at the Ministry of Agriculture to inform beekeepers as a precautionary measure. Additionally, we refrain from spraying pesticides in farms. Within the Ministry of Agriculture, we work on registering all types of pesticides for farmers, including the group of pesticides containing fipronil, which is a broad-spectrum insecticide activated through contact and ingestion. However, we do not use these agricultural pesticides; instead, we use pesticides that are compatible with public health."
Regarding his explanation of the relationship between household spraying and bee deaths, Al-Hadi stated that there is no connection between the two. He pointed out that the complaints have been previously reviewed, and the conclusion was that the spraying we conduct has no correlation with bee mortality.
Al-Hadi further elaborated, stating: "Previously, the FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture conducted spraying campaigns to combat locusts in open areas, resulting in bee mortality. However, both entities compensated some beekeepers. I do not understand why the blame for bee mortality is directed at the Ministry of Health, even though the ministry has been conducting spraying since 2002 without any issues. We use a specific type of pesticide every three years, such as Econ, Bandiocarb, and other pesticides whose effects we are fully aware of."
On the other hand, he clarified that prior communication had been established with the Ministry of Agriculture, and two workshops were conducted for coordination during the past year, agreeing on a joint implementation mechanism to avoid any mistakes, in addition to coordinating with beekeepers. He emphasized that the farmers who spray outside homes are the cause of such disasters, along with the Ministry of Agriculture, which had previously committed several mistakes during locust control efforts.
Rejections of this Statement
However, this statement was met with absolute rejection from the beekeepers, who confirmed that the spraying operation was conducted by the Ministry of Public Health and Population without prior notice or any coordination. This problem is not new, as evidenced by the staggering numbers of bee mortality in recent years, which have increased due to the effects of indiscriminate spraying, especially since 2016.
In this context, "Khuyut" has received a complaint from the administrators of the Honey Bee Association in the directorates of Al-Salam and Al-Ta'izziyah in Taiz Governorate, reporting that their bees have died as a result of spraying campaigns carried out by the Ministry of Health office to combat mosquitoes in the governorate. They confirmed that health officials in the two directorates did not respond to the beekeepers' requests to stop the spraying operations. Moreover, these campaigns extended to other directorates, despite their awareness of the risks to beehives. The pesticide used for mosquito control is lethal to bees, and its effects persist for six months.
According to the complaint, the Ministry of Health had previously used this pesticide during the Sidr season last year, which adversely affected several beehives. The Ministry has now repeated this mistake this year without any consideration for the interests of the beekeepers.
In the neighboring governorate of Ibb, the situation was no different, as it also witnessed similar indiscriminate spraying operations, as indicated by beekeeper Yahya Ahmed, which resulted in the death of his bees.
Yahya complains to "Khuyut" about his situation, saying, "I am left with only one beehive out of dozens of hives that I meticulously cared for to boost the bees' immunity and save them from perishing or absconding."
"I have lost my source of livelihood, and years of hard work have gone to waste, leaving my future uncertain. Because beekeeping has been my favorite profession and the primary source of income for myself and my children over the past years," Yahya concludes.
“Intensive agricultural pesticide spraying campaigns pose a significant threat to bee colonies. These campaigns are usually conducted after periods of heavy rains and sudden floods, which increase the risk of spreading diseases like malaria and contribute to locust infestations that can devastate crops entirely.”
Significant Damage
These examples vividly illustrate the repercussions of using agricultural pesticides, particularly those that are smuggled and internationally banned, inappropriately. Such actions result in significant losses for beekeepers and pose a threat to the survival of the beekeeping profession.
Despite the absence of precise statistics regarding the number of beehives affected by spraying during the past month, Engineer Nabeel Al-Abssi, the director of the Beekeeping and Honey Production Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Sana'a, informed "Khuyut" that many areas have been impacted by the spraying in several governorates. Among these areas are the Al-Maghribah region, where some beekeepers in the Bani Al-Awam district in Hajjah Governorate were affected, as well as others in Al-Hodeidah Governorate, specifically in the Al-Sukhnah and Wadi Mour directorates, and others. Additionally, there has been an impact on the directorates of Bilad Al-Ta'am and Al-Ja'afariyah in the governorate of Raymah and the directorates of Hazm Al Udayn and Far' Al Udayn in the governorate of Ibb, along with other areas in the provinces of the Republic that are still under assessment and evaluation.
Al-Abssi attributed the delay in announcing accurate statistics to the incomplete submission of data from some provinces. He emphasized the importance of correlating the statistics of damage with the necessity of knowing the type of beehives used in beekeeping, as well as identifying and specifying the directorates where bees were exposed to mortality. Additionally, it's crucial to determine the vegetative cover for beekeeping, which the relevant authorities are still working on.
Regarding the coordination between the Ministries of Agriculture and Health before the spraying operation, Al-Abssi states, "Yes, there was coordination between the Agriculture and Health Ministries last year. A mechanism for pesticide spraying was prepared and signed by all relevant authorities in the Agriculture and Health Ministries. However, this year, the Ministry of Health did not communicate with us. Nevertheless, the problem is also linked to the farmers."
In this respect, the national beekeeping expert, Aa'ish Al-Ahdal, spoke to "Khuyut," stating: "The number of beehives destroyed due to the spraying that occurred before the month of Ramadan is significant, and the extent of the damage is immense on the bees and the beekeepers. Additionally, its ongoing repercussions lead to the complete loss of some hives and partially weaken others, further burdening beekeepers with additional measures to take under the already challenging circumstances they are facing."
Likewise, a report submitted by the Ministry of Agriculture to the Shura Council in Sana'a in December last year, regarding bee colonies and honey production, which "Khuyut" reviewed, revealed that bee colonies were exposed to poisoning due to agricultural pesticide spraying campaigns, despite beekeepers avoiding the use of chemical substances commonly used globally to combat diseases affecting bees, which often leave residues in honey, particularly antibiotics. Hence, this distinction is specifically what sets Yemeni honey apart from others.
The report also highlighted that the intensive spraying campaigns to combat locusts or mosquitoes are one of the main threats to bee colonies in some regions of Yemen. Additionally, the report also blamed farmers, especially in regions known for cultivating qat, vegetables, and fruits, for using deadly pesticides that lead to the death of thousands of bee colonies.
Furthermore, the report confirmed that the spraying campaigns were conducted without prior notice, despite the existence of Ministerial Decree No. 16 of 2018 regarding the beekeeping system in the country. This decision stipulates that beekeepers should be notified five days before spraying to allow them to take the necessary precautions to protect the bees. All these factors contributed to the harm inflicted on bee colonies.
Major Threats
In fact, beekeeping is one of the vital agricultural projects, not only because it produces honey, beeswax, and other bee products but also due to its significance in enhancing agricultural productivity for various field and orchard crops. Additionally, it improves fruit quality and aids in natural pest control.
Regarding this issue, the Head of the Cooperative Association of Yemeni Beekeepers, Abdullah Nasher, spoke to "Khuyut," stating: "Intensive pesticide spraying campaigns are one of the main threats to bee colonies, typically conducted after periods of heavy rains and sudden floods that increase the risk of spreading diseases such as malaria, as well as locust infestations that can completely devastate agricultural crops."
Nasher adds: "In 2020 and the early months of 2021, intensive campaigns to combat locusts were conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in areas under the authority of Sana'a, alongside mosquito control campaigns carried out by the Malaria Control Program of the Ministry of Health and Population. These campaigns caused significant harm to bee colonies, particularly in the western regions extending from the border with Saudi Arabia southward to Taiz governorate."
According to the Director of the Plant Protection Department at the Ministry of Agriculture in Sana'a, during the period from 2015 to 2021, agricultural pesticide spraying operations resulted in the death of 105,000 beehives in six governorates: Sana'a, Dhamar, Al-Hudaydah, Hajjah, Amran, and Sa'ada.
Based on the information provided, over the past years, the number of bee colonies producing honey has decreased from 1,322,000 hives in 2014 to 1,197,000 hives in 2018, due to various reasons, including the spraying of farms with pesticides. Meanwhile, around 100,000 beekeepers depend on beekeeping as a livelihood.
A pesticide is a substance or mixture of substances intended to kill, prevent, repel, or mitigate the harm caused by pests. The ideal pesticide is non-toxic to honey bees while effectively combating specific pests with high efficiency.
However, pesticides can be classified according to their toxicity to bees into three categories: highly toxic pesticides, which typically kill bees if exposed during or shortly after spraying; moderately toxic pesticides, which pose limited risk if not sprayed directly on bees while they are in the field or near their hives; and low-toxicity pesticides, which can be used without fear of harming bees, especially when following the instructions on the label.
As a matter of fact, many studies emphasize the need to reconsider spraying methods and replace them with sustainable biological approaches for mosquito control. In addition to focusing on implementing comprehensive management programs instead of indiscriminate spraying.
“It is preferable to use biological methods for effectively and safely combating mosquitoes, alongside enhancing preventive measures such as using protective screens and sustainable environmental systems. Additionally, it is advisable not to spray villages that do not have running valleys.”
Preventive Measures
In this regard, Mahrez suggests several initial steps for beehive safety, starting with avoiding spraying flowering crops, and the necessity of alerting beekeepers before pesticide spraying. It's essential to inspect the crops before spraying to ensure there are no foraging bees, and to avoid spraying near bee colonies. In such cases, it's preferable to relocate the hives away from the spraying area within a radius of three kilometers. Additionally, use low-toxicity insecticides on bees, along with spraying in the early morning or evening when bees are in their hives.
Mahrez lists some brand names of highly toxic pesticides available in local markets to warn against and avoid them. The most important ones include: Abamectin, Chlorfenapyr, Deltamethrin, Diafenthiuron, Emamectin Benzoate, Fenvalerate, Fenpropathrin, Fipronil, Imidacloprid, Indoxacarb, Lambda-cyhalothrin, Spinosad, Thiamethoxam.
Explaining the ways pesticides affect bees, he says: "Pesticides impact bees in three ways: through contact via the body's surface, through oral poisoning by entering the digestive system, or through respiratory exposure by entering the respiratory tract or respiratory system of the bee." He notes that some pesticides may kill bees through only one method.
According to Engineer Mahrez, symptoms of bee poisoning with pesticides include: a large number of dead bees in front of the hive entrances, trembling of the bee's body and legs, failure of the hind wings to interlock with the forewings, crawling of bees in front of the hive entrances with limited flying capability, regurgitation of contents from the digestive system, increased aggressiveness of worker bees, swollen abdomens of worker bees, inability of bees to navigate properly, and many bees remaining inside the hives in a state close to death or paralysis.
In general, when bees are poisoned, bee colonies suffer from hunger due to the death of forager bees, and the brood dies from cold due to the reduced number of nurse bees exposed to poisoning. Additionally, the queen may cease egg-laying or lay fewer eggs per cell, in addition to the death of queens due to the replacement of bees. Thereafter, bee colonies that have been poisoned by pesticides become generally weakened, making them vulnerable to diseases and pests. In many cases, the poisoning leads to the death of the entire colony.
For his part, Al-Ahdal advises beekeepers to adhere to instructions and guidelines and to evacuate targeted areas. He also suggests that farmers use alternative methods other than spraying, such as mosquito nets, to preserve the environment and wildlife.
He further adds, "We recommend identifying the breeding times of mosquitoes and refraining from spraying on those days when the weather is hot and mosquito presence decreases. Instead, it's preferable to use biological methods for effectively and safely combating mosquitoes, along with enhancing preventive measures such as using protective screens and sustainable environmental systems. It's also advisable not to spray villages that do not have running valleys, where the impact of spraying on wildlife and wild plants is less. Other preventive measures can be followed, such as destroying breeding hotspots and removing stagnant water to reduce mosquito proliferation."
Nasher suggests using a type of bacteria to combat mosquitoes instead of toxic pesticides. This bacteria, called Bacillus sphaericus, is a specialized strain employed to fight mosquitoes without harming other organisms like bees.
Moreover, Dr. Nasher explains that using mosquito nets is also an option that should be part of the program, as is backfilling water marshes in difficult-to-drain areas. Additionally, special oils can be spread on the surfaces of the water to act as a barrier between mosquito larvae inside the water and the air, preventing mosquitoes from breathing. This is because mosquito larvae emerge from the water to lay their eggs on the water surface, breathe, and then dive back into the water. Using this oil creates a mechanical barrier between the air and the water, resulting in the death of mosquito larvae.
He emphasizes the necessity of obliging agricultural pesticide spraying campaigns, including those conducted under public health initiatives, to provide prior notification to beekeepers. This gives them the opportunity to take necessary precautions to protect their colonies from potential harm. Furthermore, he also stresses the importance of holding relevant authorities accountable and obligating them to compensate beekeepers who have lost their source of income due to damage to their bee colonies resulting from uncoordinated spraying campaigns.
Hence, to further complement efforts to prevent damage from insecticide spraying, Engineer Ali Mahrez proposes a set of precautions that farmers and pesticide users must adhere to. Foremost among these is using pesticides only when absolutely necessary, focusing on pesticides with low toxicity to bees, and using liquid pesticides instead of powder formulations.
National Treasure
In reality, beekeeping profession stands as a paramount livelihood for numerous low-income households in Yemen, particularly within rural regions, providing livelihoods for approximately one hundred thousand individuals.
This profession is widespread across most provinces in Yemen, with Hadhramaut Governorate ranking first in honey production, followed by Al-Hodeida, Shabwah, and Abyan. In terms of the provinces with the highest number of beehives, Hadhramaut Governorate tops the list, followed by Al-Mahrah, then Al Jawf, Shabwah, Marib, A Al-Hodeida, and Abyan.
According to the Annual Agricultural Statistics Book issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation in Sana'a, honey production reached approximately 2,886 tons in 2021.
Further, Yemeni honey is considered one of the finest types of honey globally due to its unique taste and medicinal properties. This is attributed to the diversity of bee pastures scattered throughout the Yemeni environment. The geographical diversity, ranging from coastal areas to mountainous regions, along with the succession of plains, valleys, and deserts, has resulted in rich plant diversity, reflecting on the honey's quality.
