Tamandua News - October 2002

Tamanduá Farm decides to raise stingless bees, rescuing a type of bee that is threatened with extinction in the Northeastern region of Brazil

In the sertão region of Northeastern Brazil, years ago, it was common to see hives of native bees on the verandas of farmers’ houses. These stingless bees, belonging to several species of Meliponidae, were much favored for their tameness, their ornamental appearance, and their honey, popularly believed to have medicinal properties.

They are popularly known by the names Jandaíra, Breu, Canudo, Arapua and Moça Branca.

Nowadays, these Meliponidae are becoming rarer and rarer in Nature; in some places, several species have disappeared altogether.

Of the 300 species already identified in the world, 100 are in fact threatened with extinction. This may be blamed on the intensive destruction of the caatinga (scrubland), their natural habitat; the activities of honey gatherers, who destroy the colonies to extract the honey; the expansion of bee-keeping with African bees (Apis mellifica), whose production is much higher; and the indiscriminate use of agricultural chemicals.

The species Jandaíra (Melipona subnitida) of stingless bees was chosen among the six species that are the most common and best adapted to the sertão, because it is the most productive, although the annual output is not above 2 kg of honey per hive.

The successful raising of these bees depends on the use of correct practices, specific techniques and dedication, which will make it possible to multiply the hives and propagate this species again.

We are thinking of working with other native species in the future, rescuing them from certain disappearance.

Manoel concludes the Foundation Course in Bio-dynamic Agriculture

Manoel Zacarias de Lima, who manages the daily affairs of Tamanduá Farm, has just concluded the Foundation Course in Bio-dynamic Agriculture at Botucatu, SP. The course, which is given in four one-week sessions over a 12-month period, is organized by Instituto Elo at Somé Farm in Botucatu. Each module deals with specific themes : the Earth; Plants; Animals; the Human Being. The aim of the course is to develop the professional and personal skills of those participating, and it covers mainly artistic and musical activities; seminars on the foundations of Bio-dynamic Agriculture, as well as Rudolf Steiner’s scientific methodology and anthroposophy; the production and use of Bio-dynamic preparations; and the phenomenology of the four kingdoms of Nature and astronomy.

Unique in Latin America, Instituto Elo has been giving this course since 1987 and has already trained over 600 professionals.

Manoel Zacarias de Lima

Manoel, who comes from Patos, State of Paraíba, and trained as an agricultural technician at Souza, in the same State, started working at Tamanduá Farm in 1995. With broad experience in farm management, he also worked on farms growing sugar cane, pineapples, melons and mangoes in the States of Rio Grande do Norte and Paraíba. He has always participated in the challenges at Tamanduá Farm with the greatest interest and dedication, showing a high degree of interest and sensitivity in relation to organic agriculture.

His knowledge of the life, beliefs and culture of the people of the sertão is extremely helpful in recovering and adapting techniques and plants that had been used until recently and have now almost been abandoned.

In the difficult path towards DEMETER certification that the Farm is now following, his guidance will be extremely important.

Congratulations, Manoel !

Farewell, Inácio !

Our friend Inácio has just passed away. He suffered a sudden and fatal heart attack, while fishing with friends. His heart, badly affected by Chagas disease, was unable to resist.

We have lost one of our earliest co-workers, who was always cheerful and dedicated, and whom we will always remember.

Our sincere condolences to his large family.