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Abstract Meliponiculture, which is the rational keeping of stingless bees, has been practiced for centuries by pre-colonial populations and has been gaining adepts in recent years. In addition to being an alternative for the conservation of these pollinators, it is an activity that promotes sustainability. From a theoretical point of view, disciplinary approaches are insufficient to understand meliponiculture, due to the multiplicity of Domains and aspects that compose it. Thus, this manuscript proposes a theoretical model to analyze meliponiculture in an interdisciplinary way, dealing with the environmental, cultural, social and economic Domains. Such activity should be encouraged through participatory and interdisciplinary public policies, integrating the various factors involved, such as honey farmers (meliponists), scientists, governments, companies and non-governmental organizations. Public policy approaches to meliponiculture as an economic activity must respect the conservation needs of the stingless bee species, and whenever possible, the social and cultural values attributed to the activity.