In many parts of the world, beekeeping or apiculture is a widespread activity, with thousands of small-scale beekeepers depending on bees for their livelihoods.

With the support of Apimondia, the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), the Apicultural Science Association of China (ASAC) and the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale Lazio e Toscana and many international bee experts FAO produced guidelines on Good beekeeping practices for sustainable apiculture.

The guidelines provide insights into the different management practices of the various social species of bees and aim to provide useful information and suggestions for making these practices more sustainable and with this contributing to the FAO four betters: better production, environment, nutrition, and life.