World Bee Day was solemnly celebrated at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Bees are one of the most important organisms in nature and of particular benefit to society. They not only produce valuable and biologically active products for human health — honey, royal jelly, beeswax and other products — but also perform the most important ecological function — pollination of plants, which is one of the main prerequisites for increasing crop yields and preserving biodiversity.
Bees are also considered a symbol of hard work, organization and harmonious coexistence with nature. Their existence is of particular importance in terms of both sustainable development of agriculture and protection of ecosystem balance. That is why events dedicated to World Bee Day, which is celebrated on May 20, are held annually in many countries of the world.
This date has been established as a tradition at the Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences for many years. This year, the Academy's Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences organized a thematic session - "Current Issues, Problems and Solutions in Beekeeping", within which the important challenges and development prospects facing the sector were discussed.
The thematic session was opened by Academician Tengiz Kurashvili, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences of the Academy. In his welcoming speech, he congratulated the audience on World Bee Day and introduced the agenda of the session, which included the following issues: 1. Preservation of the genetic purity of Georgian bees, a necessary condition for the survival of their biodiversity. Speaker: Coordinator of the Academy's Beekeeping Direction, Doctor of Agriculture Maia Peikrishvili; 2. Hyperthermia as an alternative method of combating tropilelapsosis and varroatosis. Speaker: Member of the Coordination Group of the Academy's Beekeeping Direction, Master of Veterinary Science Nino Kipiani; 3. Overview of the challenges facing beekeeping in Georgia. Speaker: Expert in the field of beekeeping Roland Zirakishvili.
Dr. M. Peikrishvili focused on a very interesting and at the same time problematic issue in his report. The report concerned the uniqueness of the Georgian bee and the need to protect its genetic resources.
It was noted that among other bee breeds distributed in the world, the Georgian bee stands out both in biodiversity and in important biological and economic properties. It unites many populations within the breed, including: Megrelian, Gurian, Abkhazian, Kartli, Imereti-Rachuli, Upper Svan and Kakheti, which are characterized by both common and different features. Among the mentioned populations, the Megrelian, Gurian, Abkhazian and Kartli populations stand out with special importance.
The gray-colored Georgian bee is characterized by a docile nature, the ability to effectively utilize weak and medium-sized hives, a low tendency to swarm, and a high ability to maximize the use of the working day. Of particular note is the length of its proboscis — in the Mingrelian and Gurian populations it reaches an average of 7.2 mm, which allows the bee to obtain nectar from plants with deep nectaries, including red clover.
The report paid special attention to the threats that have recently threatened the genetic purity of Georgian bees. It was noted that as a result of the improper attitude of some beekeepers and the uncontrolled introduction of foreign breeds, different breeds and populations are often mixed, which negatively affects the gene pool of Georgian bees and, ultimately, may lead to disastrous results.
The need to take effective measures to protect and preserve the Georgian bee was emphasized. In particular, it is considered advisable to create special protected areas and reserves, where each population will be protected from the influence of other populations and foreign breeds. For the Megrelian population, the Khobistskali and Skuri gorges were designated as such areas; for the Guri population, the village of Zemo Surebi; for the Kartli population, the territories of Barisakho, Shuapkho and Chargali; and for the Abkhazian population, the area adjacent to the villages of Pskhu and Khabiu in the Gudauta district, however, due to the current situation, it is not possible to implement appropriate measures in the mentioned areas at this stage.
The speaker also drew attention to the need for effective implementation of legislative regulations prohibiting the illegal introduction and spread of foreign bee species in the territory of Georgia. In conclusion, it was stated that the implementation of the above measures will significantly contribute to the preservation of the biodiversity and genetic purity of Georgian bees.
The challenges facing beekeeping in Georgia were discussed by beekeeper-expert Roland Zirakishvili. He drew attention to the fact that in recent times, a trend of decreasing bee populations has been observed in the world. The reasons for this process are multifactorial and not clearly defined. To some extent, this may be related to the spread of new diseases, climate change, anthropogenic impact and other factors.
According to the speaker, insufficient knowledge and lack of professional experience in the field of beekeeping are often added to the challenges facing Georgia. In order to reduce these problems, it is necessary to organize trainings, seminars and workshops for novice beekeepers, which will help increase knowledge about modern methods of beekeeping and develop practical skills.
It is noteworthy that each report aroused great interest among the audience. A number of questions were asked to the speakers, to which exhaustive and reasoned answers were given.
The thematic session was representative. Among the attendees were: Vice-President of the Academy, Academician Guram Aleksidze, Head of the Academic Department, Academician Marine Barvenashvili, Academician Jemal Gugushvili and Dr. Zurab Makaradze.
Among the invited guests were: President of the Georgian Beekeepers' Union Ramaz Tavartkiladze, Chairman of the Society for Promoting Harmonious Human Development H&ZT Tsovinar Nazarova, Senior Research Fellow of the Forest Protection Department of the Vasil Gulisashvili Forestry Institute, Doctor of Biology Medea Burjanadze, Former Research Fellow of the Beekeeping Scientific Research Institute Natalia Gardava, Head of the Cooperative "Kodi", Experienced Beekeeper Giorgi Merabishvili, Beekeeper Irma Amirajibi, as well as employees of the Academy's staff.
The thematic session was summarized by Academician-Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Academician Tengiz Kurashvili. He once again congratulated the audience on World Bee Day and wished them success and progress in their professional activities.