site.btaSelective Breeding Key for Future of Bulgarian Beekeeping

The problems facing Bulgarian beekeepers are multifaceted and increasingly serious, and selective breeding is key to the future of Bulgarian beekeeping, zoology engineer Chavdar Stefanov told BTA on the occasion of Beekeeper's Day on Tuesday.

Stefanov has been involved in beekeeping for over 15 years and has worked professionally as a zoology engineer for seven of those years. He currently raises 350 bee colonies in a bee farm located in Oresh, near the Danubian port of Svishtov. Honey production averages about 20 kg of organic honey per bee colony, he said, adding that unregulated pesticide spraying, the spread of diseases, low purchase prices for bee products, climate change and high mortality of bee colonies put the sector at serious risk.

"In this complex environment, short-term solutions are not enough", he stressed, pointing out that the long-term solution lies in targeted selection activities, through which bee colonies with better vital indicators, strong immunity, good hygiene habits, gentle character and high honey-gathering potential can be bred. "Selection and controlled breeding are the only sustainable path to healthier bees, more stable production and the preservation of our national natural wealth," Stefanov added.

A particularly important emphasis is the preservation of the Bulgarian honey bee (Apis mellifera macedonica), which is naturally adapted to the climatic conditions and pastures in the country. "In recent years, various foreign breeds of bees have been massively imported into our country, which leads to uncontrolled crossbreeding and gradual dilution of the local genotype," Stefanov commented. He emphasized that preserving the purity of the Bulgarian bee is not only a beekeeping issue, but also important for the country's biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and food security. 

Stefanov noted that beekeepers from Svishtov and the region are gathering to celebrate Beekeeper's Day on Tuesday and wished his colleagues health, inspiration and a honey-producing year.