Production Analysis of the Beekeeping Chain in Vichada, Colombia. A System Dynamics Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to model beekeeping production in the region of Vichada in Colombia. The beekeeping chain was chosen because it is a sector of great economic importance in the mentioned region which has the highest indices of multidimensional poverty in Colombia, but also it is one of the places with the greatest conservation of its biodiversity. A systems dynamics approach is used from a causal diagram to explain the interactions among bee rearing, wax production, honey production, and transformation, and then simulations were performed to determine the behavior of inventories concerning the production and demand. This model highlights the dynamics of the system and the management of the supply chain and is presented as a useful tool to predict production-demand scenarios in the beekeeping sector where similar studies are scarce. As future research, it is recommended to include the economic nature of the products in this kind of models so that scenarios can be proposed to help beekeepers make production decisions according to demand, and develop inventory policies.