Why the Virgin Islands Must Invest in Local Apiculture Now, BVI and USVI

When we talk about strengthening food security in the Virgin Islands, we often think of crops, livestock, and fisheries. But there’s one essential part of our agriculture system that receives the least investment, despite having one of the greatest impacts on our entire food chain: bees.
At Que Sera Farms, we’ve seen firsthand how vital honeybees are—not only for producing local honey, but for sustaining the very crops that feed our community. Yet across government funding, nonprofit programs, and agricultural development budgets, apiculture consistently ranks at the bottom of the priority list.
It’s time for that to change.

Bees Are Small, but Their Impact Is MassiveBees pollinate a significant portion of the foods we rely on: fruits, vegetables, herbs, and even the forages used to feed livestock. Strengthening our bee population strengthens our entire food system—from the backyard gardener to commercial farmers to the wider community.
Investing in bees isn’t just an agriculture initiative—it’s a food security strategy, an environmental strategy, and an economic development strategy all in one.

Apiculture Is Surprisingly Easy to SupportUnlike many types of agriculture, apiculture doesn’t require massive capital investment to grow. We don’t need tractors, heavy equipment, or acres of irrigated land.
What beekeepers actually need is simple:
Boxes.
More boxes.
And then more boxes again.
Every hive requires well-built, durable wooden boxes—and because the climate here is harsh and bees expand quickly, keepers go through a lot of them. Supporting local beekeeping can be as straightforward as providing materials, offering grants for hive equipment, and investing in training for new keepers.
This is small-scale funding with large-scale impact.

Local Demand for Honey Is Increasing FastVirgin Islanders love local honey—for its flavor, its health benefits, and its island identity. Demand from residents, restaurants, and wellness practitioners continues to rise, far outpacing what local beekeepers currently produce.
More hives mean more honey.
More honey means more local businesses supported.
And more local businesses mean a stronger, more resilient economy.
But this can only happen if the Territory commits to building capacity in apiculture.

A Call to Action for the Virgin IslandsIf we want a food system that is truly sustainable, local, and resilient, we must invest in the pollinators that make it possible. The Virgin Islands has the climate, the biodiversity, and the passionate keepers ready to grow our beekeeping sector—we just need the support.
Funding for hive equipment.
Capacity-building programs.
Recognition of apiculture as a critical pillar of agriculture.
These investments are low-cost, yet high-impact—and they will pay back dividends in food security, environmental health, and economic opportunity.
At Que Sera Farms, we believe that the time to act is now. The future of our food system depends on the smallest workers in our fields—and they’re worth every ounce of investment.

Photos from the Honey Show at Caricom agriculture week 2025.