Aspects of apiculture: interviews with beekeepers of the Jequitinhonha River Valley Cooperative ; Aspectos da apicultura: entrevistas com apicultores da Cooperativa do Vale do Jequitinhonha

This study aimed to raise aspects of apiculture through interviews with some beekeepers of the Jequitinhonha River Valley Apiculture Cooperative. It is a descriptive-exploratory study. It was found that most beekeepers are over 49 years old and over 72% of respondents have incomplete elementary school. In 36% of the producing families, there is more than one member involved in the activity and the commercialization of honey was declared as the main sour ce of income by 64% of those approached. However, apiculture is practiced using both family and unfamiliar labor. Concerning the apiculture pasture, beekeepers reported a large share of aroeira and sylvatic flowering, with low yields per hive, totaling volumes of less than 500kg of honey in 2016. However, three beekeepers are able to produce more than 25 kg. honey by beehive and there are at least six beekeepers who have managed to enter production in regional markets and supermarkets. Our data showed a reduced number of total beehives in the apiaries, among which a significant percentage perform the removal of honey from the melgueiras in the so-called “honey house”. As for pest control, this is carried out by only six of the beekeepers. Importantly, most beekeepers do not adopt the use of winter feeding. From the survey conducted so far, it can be concluded that apiculture in the region is still characterized by rudimentary and shy practice. ; Este estudo teve por objetivo levantar aspectos da apicultura por meio de entrevistas realizadas com alguns apicultores da Cooperativa de Apicultutores do Vale do Jequitinhonha. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo-exploratório no qual identificou-se que a maioria dos apicultores apresentam idade superior a 49 anos e mais de 72% dos entrevistados possuem o ensino fundamental incompleto. Em 36% das famílias produtoras, há mais de um membro envolvido na atividade e a comercialização do mel foi declarada como principal fonte de renda por 64% dos abordados. No entanto, a apicultura é praticada utilizando tanto a mão de obra ...