The municipality has a population of 720,848 inhabitants of which 51.2% are women and 48.8% are men (Observatorio de La Laguna, 2020). The city's economy is based on agriculture, textiles, metallurgy, chemicals, commerce and services. In the Laguna Region, there are about 70 beekeepers, 80% of whom are over 60 years old. This shows the lack of interest of the new generations in beekeeping and the decline of the activity, despite the fact that it plays a key role in the environment and food supply. 

The life of bees and the beekeeping trade in the Torreón region is threatened by several factors such as: i) lack of training, ii) lack of knowledge about the trade, and iii) lack of methodologies to make it a sustainable and profitable trade. Unfair marketing and the existence of unfair intermediaries or wholesalers pose a threat to the profitability of beekeeping.

On the other hand, bees are threatened by: i) the indiscriminate use of neonicotinoids and other insecticides on crops; ii) climatic conditions in the region; iii) lack of knowledge and good practices for their management and care. It is worth noting that in 2016 about 60% of the bee population was lost due to these factors. Although in 2021 it has recovered almost 40%, the phenomenon of increased swarming in the city still persists. The reports received per day range from 2 to 4 swarms in the winter season and up to 15 in spring and summer, of which, in most cases, only a third can be rescued due to the lack of specialized tools and equipment.

Honey consumption has increased in Mexico, despite the fact that there is a high level of ignorance of the market. A survey was carried out that revealed the following results: i) there is a lack of knowledge about honey and its benefits; ii) other natural and value-added products derived from beehives are unknown; iii) consumers prefer to buy honey in supermarkets, buying it at a higher average price per kilo; and iv) sugar is used instead of honey to sweeten beverages and food. 

• Recovery of swarms in the urban area: swarm reports that arrive daily from the public will be dealt with in a timely manner in order to recover and protect them adequately. At the same time, the personnel of the 7 stations (150 firefighters) will be trained in environmental education and the 5 firefighters of the swarm recovery brigade will be trained in technical and operational aspects, together with beekeepers and young people from the Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro.

• Training for productive units on rescue techniques, good livestock practices, environmental education, administration, and sales: the rescued swarms will be relocated to the Jimulco Ecological Reserve and Canyon protected area in the towns of La Trinidad and Barreal de Guadalupe. Twenty-five women will be trained in beekeeping, best practices, adding value to products derived from the hive (beauty, cosmetology, food), administration, resource management, and environmental protection.

• Marketing of honey and its products, promoting health benefits and supporting local consumption: the commercial strategy, advertising, and installed capacity for marketing (retail, cafeterias-restaurants, events, honey tastings, and tours of beekeeping villages) will be developed. Opportunities will be sought for marketing in other parts of Mexico, and a production, packaging, and distribution model for honey and its products will be implemented.

Direct Results

• 780 swarms will be recovered and relocated to an apiary or directly to the Jimulco reserve.
• 150 firefighters from the 7 stations will be trained in environmental education, including 5 firefighters who will receive specialized technical and operational training in the recovery and relocation of urban swarms.
• 25 women from 2 ejidos in the Jimulco reserve will be trained in integrated beekeeping techniques, adding value to honey products and best practices.
• 780 productive hives will be generated for the population of Jimulco, in order to obtain 5,850 kilos of honey per year with three seasonal blooms.
• 3 honey exhibition events.

Indirect Results

• Families show interest in the environment and bee care.
• Consumers incorporate healthy consumption habits.
• The population of Torreón opts for local consumption of honey and its products.

Expected impact

• Reduce the average age of the beekeeper population by 30% within 1 year.
• Increase swarms by 25% within 1 year in order to recover the bee population lost since 2016, preserving the development of the life of these pollinators, the preservation of the environment and the environmental benefit they provide.
• Decrease by 40% the use of insecticides with neonicotinoids in the State of Coahuila, within 1 year.
• Increase by 40% the current points of sale of Panalito Mío honey and its derivatives within 12 months.

• Fundación LALA
• Planetarium Torreón
• CANIRAC
• El Siglo de Torreón
• Club Santos Laguna
• WWF
• Unión Laguna
• SIMSA
• Soriana
• Cimaco
• Materiales Reutilizables
• Industrias AiEN
• Multimedios Televisión
• Grem 
• Rotarios Laguna 
• OXXO
• PASA
• PEÑOLES

• Laura Patricia Sarmiento Covarrubias. Founder Panalito Mío. Panalito Mío Coordinator (laurasarmiento12@gmail.com) - México
• Diana Gabriela Camacho Estala. Director of Environmental Programs and Education of the Municipality of Torreón (digacaes@gmail.com) - México