Mayan Women Advance Sustainable Beekeeping in Yucatan

In the Yucatán Peninsula, one of Mexico’s main honey-producing regions, six groups of Maya women are strengthening their economies and protecting their environment through beekeeping and meliponiculture. Their initiatives receive support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Mexico and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which provides training, organizational guidance, and resources to integrate local knowledge with sustainable practices.

Apiculture and meliponiculture in the region face growing threats from agroindustrial expansion, intensive pesticide use, deforestation, and climate change, which endanger both bees and the communities that depend on them. In response, UNDP is implementing a strategy to build community resilience by promoting climate and environmental governance, sustainable livelihoods, and access to savings, credit, and inclusive technical innovations.

The women’s groups are developing beekeeping practices that combine biodiversity conservation with economic opportunity. Workshops held in early 2025 focused on best practices for processing honey, wax, propolis, and pollen into quality products. Participants also analyzed local market demand and selected items to produce, including soaps, shampoos, ointments, candies, and other derivatives.

More experienced groups are refining formulas and adopting ecological production methods, while newer participants are defining their approaches based on local needs. These products are intended to strengthen the beekeeping value chain and expand women’s participation in it.

The initiative also emphasizes organizational development through collective decision-making, distribution of responsibilities, and regular meetings. Groups have identified opportunities such as improved financial record-keeping, product diversification, and greater use of social media for marketing. Each of the six groups has selected specific hive products to focus on, while committing to sustainable practices, bee health, and the cultural revaluation of bees.

In the coming months, the groups will continue production, experiment with new product formulas, and improve existing ones. They also plan to design product labels and branding, with the goal of launching their first regional sales by the end of the year.