- MALTA - Beekeeping - Traditions - Youths Melite (Greek - Μελίτη ) Meli (Greek - μέλι ) meaning honey ©Jorge Spiteri In MALTA there are over 5 , 500 registered beehives in an Area of around 316 km 2 In Malta, managed b eehive density is around 1 8 colonies/km 2 which is excessively higher than the European average of [ 4 04 +/ - 2 82 colonies/ km 2 ] Agricultural land accounts for 162 1 km 2 or 51 3 % ; forest 0 7 % and natural areas 18 % Meaning that the available forage areas for honey bees in Malta is even less Land availability is limited, and always pressured by development which make it unaffordable for farmers/breeders especially young ones with no family inheritance of agriculture Beekeeping in Malta is majorly practised as part - time Adequate land for keeping honey bee colonies is very difficult to find thus the beekeeper is faced with challenges throughout The Maltese Honey Bee - Apis mellifera ruttneri has been declared as the National Insect of Malta in September 2024 Context Beekeeping • Mostly Rural • Occasionally Urban Traditionally • Apiaries were enclosed and Honey bees kept in earthenware jars. • There were fewer honey bees and pests. • Nobody was aware MALTA had an endemic honey bee. • Honey harvest was more abundant. Activities with Youths School children visits Activities with Youths In class awareness sessions Activities with Youths Inspection, bee marking training - in apiary Activities with Youths Honey Bee and habitat appreciation Activities with Youths Teambuilding and beekeeping appreciation Activities with Youths Beekeeping support Activities with Youths Honey Extraction Activities with Youths Honey analysis Activities with Public Product preparation Activities with Public Fund raising activities THANK YOU - GRAZZI Any questions??