Meliponiculture in Mato Grosso do Sul: Characterization, Potentialities and Challenges in the Perspective of Sustainability

Abstract

Meliponiculture, or the breeding of stingless bees, has been promoted as an important activity for environmental, social, and economic sustainability in several regions of Brazil, including the Midwest. This study aimed to characterize the activity in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul and analyze its potential and challenges. The research database is primary, with interviews conducted with government agencies for promotion and inspection. In addition to a systematic review of the literature and analysis of the legislation Law No. 3.631/2008 and Decree No. 16.103/2023. The results indicate that, although there are incentive policies for meliponiculture, the activity is not very expressive in the state, and this is explained by the small number of producers involved, only 11.5% of the state's producers are exclusively stingless beekeepers and 16.8% carry out beekeeping and meliponiculture simultaneously. Consequently, the production of honey, pollen, and propolis is small and there is difficulty in formalizing the activity. There was also an observed need for investments in technical training for meliponiculturists, who still lack knowledge about the best sustainable management practices. It is concluded that, with greater government support and better use of existing public policies, meliponiculture can be consolidated as a practice of preserving biodiversity and a viable source of income for small producers in Mato Grosso do Sul.