Smart Hive: AI Supports Russian Beekeeping Industry
AI meets the apiary, as a major Russian telecom introduces real-time digital hives to support honey transparency and bee health.
Digital Beekeeping Takes Off in Russia
Russia’s agricultural sector is undergoing rapid digital transformation—and now, AI has reached the beehives. After the implementation of smart farms, digital mapping of fields, and AI-driven robotics in precision farming, Russian apiaries are entering the digital era. Beekeepers have long faced the challenge of frequent, in-person inspections of their hives—often in remote locations. That’s changing with AI-powered tools.
Real-Time Monitoring With AI Insight
Rostelecom, in partnership with developers from Ufa and under the Territory project, has introduced the 'Digital Hive' system. Each hive is outfitted with sensors that monitor up to 10 key health and environmental parameters. Data is transmitted and processed via AI, delivering real-time information directly to the beekeeper’s smartphone. Third-generation beekeeper Ruslan Valiahmetov manages over 500 hives in Bashkortostan, some located deep in forests. With Digital Hive, he no longer needs to make frequent long trips to check on bee health—he can do it from anywhere. The project has already been piloted in seven regions across Russia and won the 2024 CNews Award for Agricultural Technology of the Year.
A Transparent Honey Market and Smarter Pollination
Digital Hive is a foundational component of Russia’s Unified Digital Beekeeping Platform. It facilitates real-time data sharing with government agricultural systems, boosting traceability and transparency. Consumers will be able to trace honey’s full production journey, including seller veterinary certifications. The solution also contributes to reversing global bee population decline—caused by disease, pesticides, and habitat loss. With 3.5 million bee colonies, Russia still needs over twice that number to meet demand. With pesticide-mapping features, beekeepers can relocate hives away from high-risk areas and toward blooming crops, ensuring both bee safety and better crop pollination.
Export-Ready Innovation
Comparable smart hive efforts exist in Sweden and Israel, but Russia’s Digital Hive stands out with its fully integrated service offering, backed by a major national telecom. Designed for adaptability, the system is being prepared for export—particularly to CIS countries and the Global South, where demand for pollination services and honey production is growing.
