A Canadian businesswoman has explained why her company decided to invest in apiculture.
Jessika Roussy is the deputy manager of Mode Choc, a fashion chain which subsidises the beekeeping operations of Olivier Allard in Alma, a town in Quebec.
Olivier has encouraged business leaders to engage in his hive sponsorship initiative to ensure the pollination of flowers and plants in the region.
Speaking to Radio Canada, Jessika said: “We do care about the environment. We are aware that commercial activities can have a detrimental effect on nature.”
Jessika added: “That’s why we appreciate the opportunity to engage this way.”
Olivier revealed that Mode Choc was just one of several local companies which had started to financially back his Mellonia honey farm.
Reflecting on how things have been going since the launch one and a half years ago, he said: “So far, I’m really happy with the outcome. There is great interest.”
The participating firms reportedly pay at least CAD 3,000 (EUR 2,065, GBP 1,770) a year. They receive free honey and invitations to workshops.
In 2022, 495 residents of Quebec engaged in beekeeping, according to the province’s Institute for Statistics. In the year before, 547 inhabitants declared themselves as apiarists.
The number of bee colonies shrank by 23.5 per cent year on year to 57,340 in 2022.
