Raising cattle has been a tradition among small-scale farmers in Amazonia. Though cows are susceptive to diseases and injuries, they still represent the equivalent of a bank account to the average farmer. However, through domestic raise of Melipona bees, some have found a more stable and valuable source of income. The bees also encouraged them to shift their mode of production from mono-culture to agroforestry. This
The Amazon holds innumerous myth around treasures of gold lost somewhere in its deep forest, while in fact honey from the Melipona bee could be one of them. Though finding it is not just about taking something away but it may well increase benefits for people and nature. This story was researched with kind support of the Non-Timber Forest Products Foundation - Full Post in German. Wildbienen-Honig: Gold