Radio Cadena Agramonte emisiora de Camagüey
Havana, August 2nd.- Genetic improvement and selection of bees to achieve a species of high productivity and tolerance to diseases and pests; protecting and reducing the deterioration of honey flora to mitigate the effects of climate change, taking advantage of the honey potential, as well as characterizing hive products and developing new finished forms, adding value to apicultural exports are among the main lines of research of the Apicultural Experimental Station (EEA, for its acronym in Spanish), subordinated to the Agroforestry Business Group.
The entity, created in 1982, has the mission of promoting the advancement of beekeeping through the integration of science, technology and innovation, with a sustainable approach that benefits society and preserves the environment.
Among the services offered by this important entity are the accredited physical-chemical tests of honey and hive products, with a view to certifying their export. They also carry out the certification of Queen Breeding Centers, ecological apicultural productions and diagnosis of preparation of harvests, according to the demands of beekeepers and clients.
They also provide productive services of benefit and drying of bee pollen, preparation of Directed Industrial Bee Bread (PAID, for its acronym in Spanish) and extracts of pollen and propolis for use in cosmetics and nutrition.
Among the fundamental achievements of the outstanding collective are the Selection and Genetic Improvement program of the honey bee, generalized to 11 provinces of the country and the Extensionism system in Beekeeping covers all the provinces of the country (114 extensionists) with different results and impact. This year, work is being enhanced in Artemisa, Mayabeque, Villa Clara and Pinar del Río.
Another of its results is the implementation of the Apicultural Geographic Information System (SIGA, for its acronym in Spanish), with applications in the provinces of Pinar del Río, Artemisa, Mayabeque, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Camagüey, Granma, Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo.
As proposals are also the design, reformulation and stability studies of nutritional supplements based on hive products: Propojal, Propomiel, Panmiel, Apiasmin, Jalymel, Vitapolen and Propoforte. Also, the preparation of Directed Industrial Bee Bread (PAID), Bioactive Pollen Extract (EBP, for its acronym in Spanish) and Propomax (Hydroalcoholic Extract of Propolis). (Text and photo: Granma Digital)
