(AGENPARL) – Mon 06 October 2025 [cid:03f2c912-68a3-467f-8db6-2b86a6c03b9c]
Buzz-worthy opportunities
Young beekeepers in Türkiye are turning hives into jobs and futures
[cid:af681891-03d4-41c4-97a7-b5bd4f3adb67] ©FAO/Turuhan Alkır
Each morning, 22-year-old Züleyha Ceylan drives her small blue truck down the winding village roads, past fields of hazelnut trees, to a patch of colourful beehives in the province of Düzce, some 200 kilometres northwest of Ankara, Türkiye.
She slips into her canary-yellow beekeeping suit, pulls on pink gloves and strikes a match. A curl of smoke drifts from her tin smoker, calming the bees before she lifts the lid of the first hive. Inside, the colony hums with life. She studies the frames for honey levels, checks for the queen’s presence and scans for any sign of disease —tasks that require patience, skill and careful observation. Some inspections take just a few minutes; others stretch into half an hour or more—every hive has a life of its own.
“Since I was a child, I loved being outdoors with animals and nature,” she says, pausing to listen to the buzzing. “I couldn’t imagine myself stuck in an office job in the city. When I hear the sound of the bees, it feels like therapy. Their buzzing calms me and gives me energy for the day.”
When Züleyha began beekeeping last year, some people in her community doubted her choice. “They told me it is a man’s job,” she recalls with a grin. “It was like saying a woman cannot drive a car. Now those same people come to me for advice about their bees.”
Although no one in her family had ever been involved in beekeeping, they always believed in Züleyha’s choice. Even while allergic to bees, her father still helped her to buy her first colonies and equipment. “My parents told me, ‘Do what you love,’ and supported me all the way,” she says. “That gave me the courage to move forward.”
A way forward
Though the province of Düzce is rich in farmland and forests, more than 32 percent of youth between the age of 15 and 24 are unemployed. Many opt to move to the city in search of work, leaving behind old farms and empty villages.
Beekeeping offers an alternative path: it requires little land and relatively modest investment while offering flexible hours. Furthermore, demand for honey and related products remains strong. In Düzce, the prized local Yığılca bee, known for its resilience and ability to produce high-quality honey, makes the sector’s outlook even brighter.
For Züleyha, who chose to stay in her village, bees have meant both livelihood and independence.
“This year I produced about 100 kilos of honey,” she says. “It wasn’t a lot, but it sold out right away through my friends and social media. People trust me because they see how I care for my bees. I even share videos online to explain my products.”
Her dreams extend beyond simply producing honey jars. “I want to expand my hives and start producing royal jelly, bee bread, propolis—everything bees can give,” she explains. “One day, I want to build my own company and provide jobs for others.”
Learning, connecting, growing
Behind Züleyha’s success is a mix of passion and targeted support. In August 2025, Züleyha joined nine other enthusiastic beekeepers and project participants in a training programme organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry.
“Before, I didn’t know how to market my products or treat bee diseases properly,” she admits. “Thanks to the training, I learned how to manage colonies, prevent illnesses and sell my honey more effectively. This knowledge gave me confidence.”
She left the training with more than just skills. “I met people with experience—it was very inspiring. I am only at the start of my journey, but I hope to become a better producer soon.”
A land made for bees
Düzce itself is a beekeeping haven. Nearly 60 percent of the province is covered in forest, from fragrant linden to chestnut groves. It is home to around 60 000 hives and some 800 beekeepers. The region even boasts a geographical indication for its rich, dark chestnut honey and hosts a university programme dedicated to apiculture.
“A significant part of agricultural production here comes from beekeeping,” explains Ezra Uzun, Provincial Director of Agriculture and Forestry. “Düzce also safeguards the Yığılca queen bee strain in a special isolated zone. Combined with our forests, this gives us unique advantages.”
However, the climate crisis is reshaping rainfall patterns and seasonal cycles, affecting bee health and honey yields. Meanwhile, a decreasing rural population threatens the sustainability of farming.
Uzun believes the answer lies in collaboration: “Together with FAO, we are working on projects that improve production and branding but also encourage young people to stay in rural areas. Our vision is to pass on agricultural heritage to new generations, combining it with knowledge and technology.”
FAO Assistant Representative in Türkiye, Ayşegül Selışık, echoes that vision, “Düzce has tremendous natural advantages for beekeeping. Yet many young people and women face barriers to entering the sector. By providing training, technical support and entrepreneurial skills, we are helping them turn these assets into sustainable livelihoods. The goal is not only to strengthen beekeeping today, but also to ensure that future generations can thrive here.”
Sweet future
Standing among her hives, Züleyha is optimistic about opportunities in beekeeping. “With FAO’s training and the support of our community, I can see a future here—not just for me, but for the next generation of beekeepers in Düzce.”
“Don’t be afraid to try,” she advises other young people. “With the right information and support, you can succeed. And with modern technology, you can sell your products not just locally, but even internationally.”
In the winter period, when her bees rest, she paints landscapes, animals and the tiny buzzing friends she misses. “From now on, my life follows the rhythm of the bees. My art helps me to stay connected to them even during these quiet months,” she says with a smile.
Every 16 October – World Food Day – is a chance to celebrate food heroes around the world. From farmers and fishers to innovators and chefs, food heroes are leading local and global efforts to create more sustainable and resilient agrifood systems. But we can all be food heroes: respect food, eliminate waste, reduce unnecessary consumption. Our actions are our future. Let’s build a better one together.
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