Scientists get busy to revive state’s beekeeping fortunes
UTS researchers Dr Nural Cokcetin and Professor Liz Harry are part of a collaboration that will work to future-proof the vital NSW apiary industry. Already reeling from years of drought and declining revenues, the sector took a major hit in the 2020 bushfires.
Long-standing honey expert Dr Nural Cokcetin works on samples in the laboratory. Photo by Andy Roberts
Almost 10,000 hives destroyed. Bees lost from 88,000 more, when they were damaged by heat and smoke. Thousands of hectares of key flora wiped out.
There is no doubt the bushfires of 2020 were devastating for the state’s 900 registered beekeepers and the critically important NSW apiary industry.
A $1.9 million research program announced today aims to help the sector rebuild and give it confidence for the long term. A suite of projects will create local jobs, support more queen bees being bred in NSW, open the door to greater medicinal honey opportunities and foster flora regeneration.
Continue reading on the UTS Newsroom: Scientists get busy to revive state’s beekeeping fortunes
