OS PRINCIPAIS BENEFÍCIOS DA ATIVIDADE APÍCOLA E OS ENTRAVES PARA SEU DESENVOLVIMENTO NO ESTADO DE MATO GROSSO DO SUL/THE MAIN BENEFITS OF APICULTURE AND IMPAIRMENTS IN ITS DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF MATO GROSSO DO SUL, BRAZIL

There is a growing concern with sustainable production activities which simultaneously improve the populations' life quality and conserve the environment. Apiculture is an alternative of sustainable production activity. Current analysis discusses the main benefits of apiculture activity and identifies the main impairments for the development of the activity in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. People involved in this activity were interviewed. Although results showed a series of potential economical, social and environmental advantages, impairments comprised lack of technical knowledge and the absence of incentives and support by the government.