Mangrove honeys exist in Madagascar, Bangladesh, the West Indies, East Africa and elsewhere, but not in Mauritius! Or rather, not yet… As part of the regional Varuna project financed by the Agence Française de Développement, six female residents of Le Morne are receiving training in beekeeping and entrepreneurship, with the aim of filling this astonishing gap and thereby… protecting the mangrove. Dominique Bellier
The area of mangroves in Mauritius is estimated at 20 precious km2 which must be protected and developed at all costs, so that they can fulfill their role as nurseries for marine species and barriers against erosion, pollution and tsunamis. Inviting local women to transform mango nectar into honey creates sustainable jobs… in every sense of the word.
In our subtropical climate, the two Mauritian species of mangrove blossom all year round… which means two harvests of honey! As they come and go, bees reinforce pollination. And future beekeepers will be on hand to produce this elixir of flowers, with all its virtues: a complex taste, a sweet-salty, sometimes fruity note, a beautiful dark color and a thick texture; a honey rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, which supports immunity and acts as an antibacterial…
The future beekeepers are supervised by Jean-Paul Hennequin, head of the Fondation Solidarité d’Éclosia, and by Odysseo. As they often work during the day and have families to care for, they attend training courses in the evenings and on Saturday mornings. Beekeeper Michaël Lafrance teaches them the core skills of the trade, while the foundation provides them with entrepreneurial tools to ensure the commercial success of their project.