A German beekeeping enthusiast has revealed why he joined a startup’s franchise concept which focuses on renting out hives in a bid to ensure pollination.
As pollinator habitats are shrinking, more and more citizen initiatives, political leaders and farmers are becoming aware of the devastating impact unhealthy ecosystems can have on our daily lives.
Andreas Merk from Wolfegg, a small town in the southwestern state of Baden-Württemberg, got into beekeeping more than 10 years ago. Four years ago, he became a part of Bee-Rent, an innovative franchise.
Founded in 2015, the Lower Saxon startup connects apiarists, entrepreneurs, farmers and town councils. After being commissioned, the participating beekeepers place their hives in meadows and orchards to ensure the pollination of flowers and plants.
Andreas said observing the bees doing their job turned apiculture into his passion. He explained: “I’m not just fascinated by the small insect but also by its role in the ecosystem.”
Andreas said a Bee-Rent partnership would enable anyone to “experience the bees and protect ecosystems.”
He underlined: “Over the years, I’ve become increasingly aware of the importance of bees.”
The bosses of Bee-Rent emphasise the Corporate Social Responsibility factor of their endeavour. They also argue that their concept offers an opportunity to become a self-employed apiarist.
In a fact sheet on the vital role of pollinating insects, the Californian Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) said: “Consider that one-third of all the food we eat, including strawberries, chocolate, and coffee, depends on healthy pollinator populations, particularly bees but also bats, birds, butterflies, and some other insects.
“Additionally, 28,000 medicinal plants depend on pollinators.”
Germany is among the 10 leading producers of honey among the European Union’s 27 member states. Around 138,000 of the country’s 84.5 million residents engage in beekeeping.
