Bees are easy to keep; they require almost no space and once the hives are established, are inexpensive to maintain. After all, humans don't have to feed bees.

As bees search for nectar, they pollinate plants. Introduced in the right places, near fruit trees and vegetable gardens, beehives can as much as double fruit and vegetable yields.

A hive of bees can help people from India to the Dominican Republic by providing them with honey, beeswax and pollen to sell.