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A new study is shedding light on the types of honeybees found across South Sudan’s Equatorial Region, offering insights that could help farmers harvest more honey, protect bee populations and improve livelihoods.
The Equatorial Region, which includes Eastern, Central and Western Equatoria, is one of the country’s greenest and most productive agricultural zones. Yet, until now, little was known about the kinds of bees living there and how they are spread across the landscape.
For everyday farmers and beekeepers, the initial findings show that bees behave differently: some produce more honey, some are more resistant to heat or disease and others are better at pollinating crops. Knowing which bees are in a given area can help farmers choose the right hive methods, improve yields and avoid losses.
The study also highlights challenges bees face, including habitat changes and movement between wild and domesticated colonies. Protecting forests and natural nesting areas, therefore, becomes essential for sustaining bee populations. Fieldwork revealed the realities of rural beekeeping, hard-to-reach locations, colonies high in trees and difficult terrain, all of which mirror the challenges farmers face daily.
By mapping where different bees live, this research provides practical knowledge that can support better beekeeping, stronger food production and more stable incomes across South Sudan.