Mardi comes to the rescue of bees

SERDANG: The low hum of global bee decline has become a loud buzz for the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi) to fly to the rescue of bees.
Mardi's "My Bee Saviour" initiative is an open invitation to become a bee rescuer in an effort to halt the dwindling of bee populations that are so vital as pollinators in global food production. The problem is making fruit, vegetable and grain farmers nervous.
"We are committed to bee conservation and hope many will sign up as volunteers," said Mardi director-general, Datuk Dr Mohamad Roff Mohd Noor.
In a speech at a Mardi event to mark World Bee Day (May 20) and launch of this corporate social responsibility campaign, he said, "Universities, research institutions and governmental agencies involved in environmental preservation, as well as honey producers play a vital role in saving the bees."
The idea for "My Bee Saviour" was sparked in 2015 when honey producers on social media highlighted beehives found near human habitation, like homes and buildings, being destroyed by the fire and rescue services. This led to a movement to save the hives from a fiery end.
Mohamad Roff said awareness campaigns targeting children and young people to correct the perception that bees are dangerous, were ongoing.
He believes it will help bring the bees back from the brink, benefit the honey industry and make bee breeders happy. — Bernama