Flora, technology and honey : next generation governance workshop

Abstract

The FLOTECH-HONEY Workshop was built upon three key pillars that shape the future of sustainable apiculture: flora, technology, and honey. Türkiye's exceptional floral richness offers a tremendous opportunity for beekeeping. Yet, climate change, habitat degradation, and productivity challenges continue to threaten the sustainability of this valuable sector. This workshop serves as a platform for generating scientific, digital, and system-oriented solutions to address these complex issues. At the heart of this initiative lies the BEE-OPTECH4HONEY project — a two-year collaborative research effort between Türkiye and Malta, supported by the PRIMA program. Utilizing satellite imagery, drone/UAV data, GIS-based spatial analysis, decision support systems, and optimization models, the project has developed innovative tools to guide beekeepers in making more informed, efficient, and sustainable decisions. The papers presented here reflect the scientific outcomes of that journey. The contributions included in this volume represent not only academic insights but also practical, multidisciplinary efforts to support the real needs of modern beekeeping. By bridging knowledge production with field implementation, we hope to inspire future projects and long-term collaborations. I extend my sincere gratitude to all researchers, young scholars, project partners, and members of the organizing committee whose efforts made this event possible. FLOTECH-HONEY is more than just a workshop — it is a step forward toward the digital future of apiculture.