A sweet taste for nature: Bolivia opens its first honey library

Every year, World Bee Day reminds us of how bees and other pollinators keep our planet healthy and our food systems thriving. The Plurinational State of Bolivia has taken an important step with the grand opening of its first honey library in Monteagudo, a sweet first taste for science, nature and communities alike. 

Led by the SANAPI project, with support from Mountain Partnership member, Fundación Participación y Sostenibilidad (PASOS) and its Italian partner, Associazione Solidarietà Paesi Emergenti (ASPEm), the library is a place where tradition meets science, and honey tells a story. Open to the public, the library offers researchers, producers and visitors a chance to explore the Plurinational State of Bolivia's honey heritage, including the honey made by native stingless bees known locally as señoritas. 

The launch event at the Universidad San Francisco Xavier in Monteagudo brought together 340 honey producers, local authorities, academic experts and international partners.  To mark the occasion, researchers from the University of Milan analysed 68 honey samples, from both Apis mellifera and señorita bees. Almost all of these samples met European quality standards, a strong indicator of the quality and potential of local production. Despite the absence of specific guidelines for native bee honey, the results point to the value of these native honeys and their market potential. A study is also underway in Italy to map the flowers visited by bees in Plurinational State of Bolivia, revealing new insights into the country’s biodiversity and unique honey varieties. On 23 May, the SANAPI project will present a book compiling the honey study at the University of Sucre.  

Beyond research, the honey library supports producers and local communities by providing  insights on the different types of honey, and sales through new avenues such as supermarkets, specialty stores and social media. 

The project aligns with Fundación PASOS’ broader effort to promote Miel Melipona, the honey produced by native stingless bees. Supported by Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS) and a Mountain Facility grant, 315 women came together to form the Asociación de Mujeres Meliponicultoras Ecológicas del Chaco (AMMECH). 

Through hands-on training, the women have refined production methods, diversified their products and gained new skills. A dedicated collection and processing centre has improved honey quality, while local fairs have raised their visibility, now with honey-based products soaps and candles complementing their traditional honey sales. 

Guaraní women are at the heart of caring for and managing these bees, blending traditional knowledge passed down through generations with modern practices. AMMECH is set to receive organic certification this year through the Mountain Participatory Guarantee System, highlighting the link between environmental stewardship and cultural heritage.