Maya Women Launch 5 Melipona Bee Businesses

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Through the "Meliponarios de Mujeres Mayas" (Meliponarios of Maya Women) program, women from various communities are being empowered and added to the initiative's efforts to support 250 women across the Yucatan Peninsula by 2026. The program strengthens productive and environmental skills in the region, supporting women entrepreneurs.

Vicente Carrillo Tamayo, manager of environmental management and social responsibility for the grocery chain Dunosusa, indicated that among their social responsibility programs, they have one focused on Maya communities that has been quite successful. He noted that the program even received the "Empresas líderes en innovación sustentable" (Leading Companies in Sustainable Innovation) award two years ago.

"The melipona bee program is quite interesting, as it supports Maya women by training them in the operation of meliponarios," he explained. Subsequently, beehives are donated to them, and they are trained to be able to make their own products, package and label them, and even in the use of social media to commercialize their product.

He commented that one of the main benefits for nature is that by increasing the population of the melipona bee, the flora of the peninsula's jungle is increased and improved.

"Furthermore, on the economic and social front, the Maya women feel empowered, as they go from being homemakers to micro-entrepreneurs and begin to obtain resources that are a great support for their families," he assured.

Among the articles they produce are candles, soaps, candies, beauty products, and shampoos, among others.

How the "Meliponarios de Mujeres Mayas" Initiative Works

Other women have also turned this project into a tourist attraction, bringing groups of visitors to the Maya communities to teach them about the process of creating melipona bee honey and its importance for the environment.

"They have them make honey-based products, offer them a meal, and the tourists leave very happy to have had such an experience," he said.

He added that this program has succeeded in growing the number of meliponarios in the Yucatan Peninsula. He cited as an example one of the beneficiaries, who started with four hives and now has more than 30.

He recalled that there have already been three editions of this program, benefiting 250 women from 15 rural populations in Yucatan. Therefore, among the plans is to bring the program to Quintana Roo in 2026, to carry it out in at least five populations, benefiting several women in each one.