Adopt a Beehive: A 3Bee Initiative on Combating Bee Mortality Across the Globe
Ranked as Europe’s 5th largest honey producer, Italy heavily relies on bees and the beekeeping industry to maintain this significant title. This sector is valued at over 2 million Euros, demonstrating its influence on the Italian economy. Not only is beekeeping an essential element for Italy’s economy, but also for its agricultural sphere. Bees are a critical component of crop pollination, fruit and vegetable growth, and creation of honey products.
However, in recent years, the mortality rate of bees has significantly increased. Bees are being harmed in many ways, including but not limited to climate change, exposure to pesticides, bacterial diseases, and loss of natural habitats. These dangerous impacts halt nectar production, emit toxic chemicals into the environment, and spread hazardous bacterial diseases, all of which are destroying biodiversity and killing millions of bees. These insects are unable to withstand these harsh conditions, and therefore are in danger.
Founded in 2016 by Niccolò Calandri and Riccardo Balzaretti, 3Bee is an Italian business that aims to protect bees through a modern beekeeping approach using AI technology. 3Bee has been named the top Italian company within the sector of biodiversity, highlighting their dedication to the preservation of this industry.
3Bee has implemented many strategies to protect bees’ health and beehives throughout Italy in efforts to maintain biodiversity. One of these main initiatives is the invention of “Adopt a Beehive.” Essentially, anyone can “purchase” a beehive via the 3Bee website with rates beginning at 10 Euros.
This process begins with the user picking out the hive based on specific flowers they wish to be pollinated, the name of the queen bee, the significance of the hive, and the quantity of honey that they will receive at the end of each collection. After the hive is chosen, users are additionally able to choose the Italian beekeeper they wish to care for their hive. Furthermore, each customer can download the 3Bee app in order to monitor the growth of their own personal hive through digital sensors. They receive updates regarding their hive’s weight, humidity, temperature, sounds, photos, and videos. Once their hive has grown a substantial amount, the customers are sent a small share of the production of honey.
3Bee uniquely engages its users with the “Adopt a Beehive” initiative, educating them about the beekeeping industry, the plethora of ways that everyone benefits from this sector, and why it is crucial to conserve beehives worldwide. In addition to educating their users about the beehives they adopt, 3Bee collects data from these beehives as well. This data that is collected through the digital monitors is sent to universities to be studied and is used to help enhance biodiversity practices and care for bees and beehives.
The CEO of 3Bee, Niccolò Calandri, notes that in order for the company “to have a real positive impact, 3Bee has a budget of 1,5 M € to deploy within 18 months in each country,” highlighting how the designated budget will be distributed to benefit many countries globally. Furthermore, he states that 3Bee is “going to get to a bigger scale, faster” with the use of their advanced practices using AI technology. The 6-year-old company has proven that their efforts have been beneficial, dedicating a strong budget to their technological advancements, many of which have made the “Adopt a Beehive” initiative possible.
So, while it is an entertaining and educational way for users to learn about and immerse themselves in the beekeeping sector, the adoption of a beehive has a much deeper impact. It supports the continuation of the study of apiculture, pollination of flowers, and enhanced beekeeping practices. 3Bee gives members an opportunity to participate in this environmentally friendly and sustainable enterprise helping Italian beekeepers protect bees all over the world!
