Experts provide professional guidance for beekeepers in Longquan county, Zhejiang province. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Apiculture, the management and study of bees, is helping to bring economic growth to Longquan, a county in southwest Lishui, Zhejiang province.

Longquan, with a forest coverage rate of 84.2 percent, is rich in nectar sources. For a long time, farmers in the towns of Jinxi, Zhulong and Yanzhang have followed the tradition of keeping bees for a living.

In 2016, Lishui was named a honeybee city of China by the Apicultural Science Association of China. Longquan took advantage of the opportunity and released a project to help low-income peasants work on beekeeping.

The majority of low-income people in the county are senior citizens who are not suitable for heavy labor work. The government thought the beekeeping would be a good chance for them to earn a living.

This year, Longquan plans to help another 600 families achieve wealth from apiculture by providing quality breeds of bees and professional training courses for them.

Meanwhile, Longquan has  propelled the integrated development of agriculture and tourism. Six travel routes connecting 30 beekeeping villages help promote the natural landscapes and local farm products to visitors and generate more income for villagers.

Hives are scattered across the mountain in Longquan county, Zhejiang province. [Photo/lsnews.com.cn]