Reviving Beekeeping in Basso Sarca: Regional Efforts and Training Initiatives

Previously, the Varroa mite, which from 1985 onward decimated beehives, followed by bureaucracy that greatly complicated honey sales for small producers: the result is that throughout the C9, Basso Sarca, and Val di Ledro, only about eighty beekeepers remain.

They own on average fewer than ten hives; none operate professionally. The most substantial among them manage around thirty colonies. Yet, the Basso Sarca can be considered a privileged land: the Erica flowering, thanks to better climate conditions, allows for an early spring “awakening” of the hives, a few weeks ahead of the rest of the provincial territory.

Growing demand and regional initiatives

Moreover, the increased demand for safe foods has rekindled interest in beekeeping, even when it remains more of a hobby than a source of income (a hive, at best, can yield more than half a million lira per year).

Last July, a provincial technical commission was established, with one beekeeper from each district and representatives of Esat, the health services, Apitrento, and San Michele.

The declared goal is to revive the activity by stimulating interest among a broad segment of people willing to not be intimidated by a few stings (which are actually good for keeping away rheumatism) and to be captivated by the strict rules of an almost perfect society.

Training initiatives and contacts

Renato Santuliana, from Arco, is the president. Among the proposals for 2001 are four courses, one of which will take place at the Vigne social house from June 7 to 23.

Three Thursday evenings, starting from June 7, will cover theoretical topics such as apiary management, diseases, and queen rearing. On June 9, there will be a practical exercise at Molina at Giuseppe Franzinelli’s apiary, and finally, on June 23, a guided tour of Gualtiero Marcolla’s beekeeping farm in Spormaggiore.

Registrations for the course can be made by calling 0464-510048.