WORLD BEE DAY 2026 STATEMENT
By the African Farmers’ Association of South Africa (AFASA)
20 May 2026

Today, as the world commemorates World Bee Day 2026, AFASA joins farmers, environmentalists, researchers, and communities across the globe in recognizing the critical role that bees and other pollinators play in sustaining life, agriculture, biodiversity, and food security.

This year’s theme reminds us that protecting pollinators is not only an environmental responsibility, but also an agricultural and economic necessity. Bees are silent workers at the heart of food production systems. Their contribution supports healthy crops, thriving ecosystems, and resilient rural livelihoods. Without pollinators, food systems become vulnerable and biodiversity declines.

As African farmers, we understand that the health of our soil, crops, livestock, and communities is deeply interconnected with the health of nature. We therefore call for stronger action to protect bees and pollinators through sustainable farming practices, reduced misuse of harmful chemicals, conservation of indigenous plants, restoration of ecosystems, and climate-smart agriculture.

AFASA further encourages farmers, especially emerging and smallholder producers, to embrace regenerative and biodiversity-friendly agricultural methods that safeguard pollinators while improving productivity and resilience. Supporting beekeeping initiatives and pollinator conservation can also create economic opportunities, strengthen food sovereignty, and contribute to rural development across South Africa and the African continent.

On this World Bee Day, we reaffirm our commitment to building an agricultural sector that works in harmony with nature. Protecting bees’ means protecting the future of farming, nutrition, and generations to come.

“When we protect pollinators, we protect life itself.”

Issued by:
African Farmers’ Association of South Africa