The first mobile laboratory for breeding and artificial insemination of honeybee queens has been opened on the left bank of Nistru river, with financial support of European Union, within the EU’s Confidence Building Measures Programme, implemented by UNDP.

The initiative was carried out by Beekeepers’ Association on the left bank of Nistru, in cooperation with the National Association of Beekeepers of Moldova and international experts in beekeeping.

Thanks to this center, beekeepers on both banks of Nistru river will have access to high quality genetic material. Thus, they will be able to avoid crosses between species, will solve problems related to hibernation, will increase honey productivity and, thus, will grow the export potential of the region.

“Our aim was to bring closer beekeepers from banks of Nistru, and during this training process people got to know each other. Even though this is the first such a laboratory in our region, we will not stop here, and we will work to open other centers like this, to cover a larger territory,” says Natalia Porhun, project’s coordinator.

The center meets all European standards, being divided into two zones – preparatory zone and working zone – and has modern specialized equipment for artificial insemination and breeding of honeybee queens.

The mobility of the laboratory allows for planning and delivery of services to different locations. The members of the Beekeepers’ Association can file applications in advance for biomaterials processing and the whole spectrum of services delivered by the center.

All personnel of the laboratory have been trained, thanks to EU support. Now, they can now work with biomaterials, perform analysis, and issue recommendations.

This is the second laboratory of this kind in the Republic of Moldova.