AI-Driven Climate-Smart Beekeeping for Women Advisory & Extension (AID-CSB Advisory & Extension)

Declining bee and pollinator health is a threat to biodiversity and food security. Arguably the most important activities bees and honeybees in particular provide, are pollination ecosystem services, sustaining biodiversity. 75% of commercially grown crops are pollinated by bees and other pollinators. While Lebanon provides very advantageous locations for beekeeping, beekeepers face challenges in managing bee diseases, exposure of bees to agricultural pesticides, and access to resources and technical knowledge. Day-to-day monitoring and support by extension services is a challenge, given the spread and volume of beekeepers across the country, limited human resources, and limitations to in-person visits due to the COVID-19 crisis and other travel challenges.

For the first time in Lebanon, beekeepers will have access to unique hive management information at their fingertips, such as nectar sources and pest information, and their own records and reminders on when to inspect their hives. Beekeepers’ interaction with the app will also inform extension workers and researchers of the beekeeper activities and health of bees across Lebanon. Lead extension workers can take action, by sending important notifications to select groups of beekeepers.