RESEARCHERS from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science’s Bee Research Institute are looking to Western Australia for ways to halt the decline of honey bees.
Professor Qingyun Diao and Doctor Chunsheng Hou visited the South West region last month, home to one of the world’s healthiest honey bee populations.
The decline of honey bees is a global problem affecting agriculture and food security.
Hosted by SWCC’s Sustainable Agriculture Program Manager, Mike Christensen, the researchers met with Wedgecarrup canola farmers, Rob and Caroline Rex, and Balingup grower David Guimelli to learn more about the importance of honey bee pollination in Australian food crops.
According to the University of Western Australia’s CRC for Honey Bee Products, some 44 food crops – valued at more than $6.5 billion at the farm gate – rely on the honey bee pollination.
While in WA, Professor Diao and Doctor Hou had an opportunity to tour the CRC and also met with representatives from the Western Australian Biodiversity Science Institute and Wide Open Agriculture.
Tags: Bees Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science
