Adopt a Beehive in Liguria

3Bee is the Nature Tech company that develops technologies for the protection of biodiversity. 3Bee Hive-Tech is 3Bee's first system for analysing the health and 'starvation' status of honeybees, environmental pests par excellence. Over time, we have developed other technologies to study and monitor all the pollinating insects and created more than 200 Oases of Biodiversity with thousands of nectariferous plants to provide them with nourishment. In this way, we want to create a virtuous circle: our beekeepers are transformed by necessity into Oasis growers and promoters of environmental biodiversity. We do not encourage massive production and intensive breeding, which have a negative impact on biodiversity and pollinators. We do, however, recognise the value of honey as a valuable symbol of the biodiversity of an environment and a tool for disseminating the commitment and protection of an area, to be consumed sparingly and with respect for the life cycle of these insects.

Beekeeping is a particularly important activity for the Liguria region, where honey production is considered of great value. In recent years, professional beekeepers have increased by 40% to 836, with a parallel increase in the number of hives of around 80%. Overall, the region has about 30,815 hives managed by 2299 beekeepers, including hobbyists and professionals. The most sought-after types of honey produced in this beautiful region include honey honeydew honey and heather honey.

The story of Andrea seems similar to that of many other beekeepers: a great consumer of honey, his passion for this incredible food soon became a passion for the bees that produce it. What makes his experience so different, however, is the path he took: from the recovery of a swarm to a beekeeping course and a thesis focusing on bee venom. This was followed by an experience in central and southern Italy, among coriander, sunflower and citrus honey, which made Andrea realise that beekeeping was indeed his path. So, in 2019 he founded the farm N1-numerouno with his partner Michela, also a beekeeping enthusiast, settling in the province of Imperia. In addition to the 80 settled cases in Liguria, there are also 40 nomads in the province of Biella. In nomadism they have found a way to widen the range of honey produced, managing to obtain also acacia and chestnut honey.

Roberto is from Genoa and has developed a great passion for bees and beekeeping since he was a boy. At the age of 15, he took his first beekeeping course and in 2006, he decided to found his own beekeeping company. His beekeeping is mainly sedentary and his apiaries are located near the sea and up to 1000 metres above sea level, in unspoilt areas. The honey he produces is typical of Liguria: mountain wildflower, spring wildflower, some acacia and linden and a lot of chestnut. In the management of his bees he does not use synthetic chemicals. Roberto likes to call the beekeeping that is carried out in Liguria heroic beekeeping: all the handling of the hives is done manually, transporting the boxes even over long distances because automated means cannot get to where the bees are. Thanks to technology, 3Bee is not only able to make its activity known throughout Italy, but also to manage it in the best possible way.