BEEKEEPERS HIGHLIGHT THE REMARKABLE DEDICATION OF BEES

Climate change, drought, counterfeit honey on the market and a shortage of young beekeepers are among the major challenges facing beekeeping today. Despite these difficulties, bees continue their tireless work, playing an essential role in the prosperity of the natural environment and the areas where they live.

PHOTO: SRNA

Darko Marković from Doboj has been involved in beekeeping for 25 years and currently manages 110 bee colonies.

He says that no matter how much humans study bees, it is difficult to uncover all the secrets of their existence. However, one thing is certain: bees are among the most organised living creatures, demonstrating extraordinary dedication and a willingness to sacrifice their lives for the survival of the colony.

"A hive can contain more than 50,000 bees, yet each one knows its role and works for the benefit of the community rather than for personal gain. Key decisions concerning the survival of the colony must be made unanimously," Marković explained.

BEES ALSO COMMUNICATE THROUGH DANCE

Marković says bees communicate with one another through pheromones, sounds and even dance, a fascinating behaviour that scientists continue to study.

In the morning, worker bees leave the hive in search of food. When they discover a source of nectar, such as the acacia blossoms commonly found in the Republic of Srpska, they return to the hive and use a special dance to indicate its direction and encourage other bees to follow them.

"Without bees, there would be no life, yet I am not sure we appreciate them as much as we should. Beekeeping may not be an agricultural sector that generates substantial profits, but without the pollination bees tirelessly provide, we would have no fruit, many agricultural crops, forage plant seeds, oilseeds or the biodiversity of our forests," Marković said.

He spent more than five years living in Colorado, USA, before nostalgia and patriotism brought him back to Doboj. Today, he hopes to use the knowledge and experience gained abroad to support rural communities, contribute to agricultural development and encourage people to appreciate the natural resources surrounding them.

He believes that choosing agriculture as his profession and returning home could inspire others to help preserve rural areas, despite the growing challenges brought by climate change.

STRONGER LABORATORIES NEEDED TO TEST HONEY QUALITY

Marković, who is also President of the Beekeepers' Association of the Republic of Srpska, believes that greater efforts should be made to strengthen and equip laboratories capable of detecting pesticide poisoning in bees and identifying counterfeit honey.

"Without serious chemical analyses, it is impossible to determine whether honey has been diluted with cheaper syrups. Counterfeit products have become so sophisticated that they behave similarly to genuine honey," he warned.

He emphasised that honey produced in the Republic of Srpska is of exceptional quality, often made from wild and medicinal plants. According to him, the best way for consumers to ensure they are buying genuine honey is to get to know local beekeepers and purchase directly from them.

For this reason, an initiative has been launched to establish a demonstration and educational apiary near Doboj. The facility would allow consumers to meet local beekeepers while providing young people with an opportunity to learn about bees and beekeeping.

The initiative also aims to attract younger generations to the profession, as the average age of beekeepers in the Republic of Srpska is approximately 60.

INHALING AIR FROM BEEHIVES – A UNIQUE APITHERAPY EXPERIENCE

Mile Milojević from the village of Pervan near Banjaluka has been keeping bees for 40 years and currently manages more than 150 beehives at three locations.

He inherited his passion for beekeeping from his father, and his interest grew over the years as he studied specialist literature to learn more about bees, their habits and the benefits of bee products.

Nine years ago, he came up with the idea of opening an api-chamber – a specially designed wooden room that provides an environment for apitherapy, allowing visitors to inhale air from beehives through a dedicated system.

Milojević explained that the hive used for inhalation contains approximately 30,000 bees. According to him, the air carries substances associated with honey, royal jelly, bee bread, pollen and other bee products.

He also says that visitors can experience the calming atmosphere created by the scents of bee products absorbed by the wooden panelling covering the chamber's walls.

Milojević claims that inhalation sessions can help people dealing with bronchitis, asthma, lung and heart conditions, depression, stress and severe migraines.

He also offers free treatments to people with pulmonary fibrosis, sharing his experience with a patient whose condition he says improved significantly following sessions in the api-chamber.

His claims about the therapeutic effects of apitherapy have not been independently established and should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment.

RAISING AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF BEES

Milojević identifies pesticides, counterfeit honey and difficulties in bringing products to market amid competition from imported honey as some of the biggest challenges facing beekeepers.

He also believes that many people are insufficiently aware of the importance of bees and the benefits they provide.

"People spray their orchards without notifying us in advance, so that we can protect our bees. That is why apiaries are often located in natural surroundings, away from populated areas," he explained.

Another beekeeper from Banjaluka, Željko Ivić, has been involved in the profession for 10 years and currently keeps around 70 beehives.

For him, beekeeping is much more than an agricultural activity. As a war veteran with a disability who has undergone leg amputation, he sees working with bees as a special form of rehabilitation.

"I started beekeeping almost by accident. A friend gave me a hive after I once helped him transport bees. I immediately fell in love with it and bought another four or five hives. That passion has continued to grow ever since," Ivić said.

BEEKEEPING AS A FORM OF REHABILITATION

Ivić says that the scents, buzzing sounds and constant activity of bees, combined with spending time outdoors, provide him with motivation and strength to overcome everyday challenges.

He moves his colonies depending on the season, taking them to different locations where acacia, lime trees and chestnut trees provide suitable sources of nectar.

He says that transporting the bees, sometimes over distances of up to 200 kilometres, is not a burden but an essential part of his commitment to beekeeping.

Ivić also wants to correct a common misconception among consumers: the belief that crystallised honey is no longer good.

"When honey begins to crystallise from the bottom upwards, it means it is genuine honey. Crystallisation is a completely natural process. The best way to ensure you are buying real honey is to purchase it from a local beekeeper you know," he explained.

VARROA MITE AMONG THE BIGGEST THREATS TO BEES

Ivić identified the Varroa mite as one of the most serious problems in beekeeping, as it transmits viruses that bees sometimes struggle to fight off.

The high cost of equipment needed to develop his apiary is another major challenge.

In this regard, he receives valuable support from the Organisation of Amputees of the Republic of Srpska – UDAS.

He is a member of the association of beekeepers with disabilities and women, "Pčelica", established as part of a project promoting beekeeping as a means of empowering landmine victims.

The project is implemented by UDAS in cooperation with partners from Slovenia.

Ivić says that the support he receives through the initiative has been essential in helping him obtain the equipment and resources needed to care for his bees.

The experiences of these three beekeepers highlight the importance of protecting bees, supporting local honey producers and encouraging younger generations to take an interest in beekeeping – an activity that contributes far beyond the production of honey, sustaining agriculture, biodiversity and rural communities.