Bees are one of the many insects in the world that can produce something that is beneficial to all of us.
We obtain honey from these bees and as we all know, honey is an important food for human beings.
Since ancient times, honey is used for treating several diseases, and it is an antioxidant, therefore beekeeping, another term for apiculture is a very important activity.
Erratic climate conditions have adversely affected Bihar’s ‘Sweet Revolution’ — a move aimed at increasing honey production in the state.
Honey production in the state fell by 40 per cent in 2020
Researchers have attributed the fall to erratic weather conditions in the state
Honey bees are unable to collect enough nectar from plants and trees — such as mustard, drumsticks and litchis. This is because nectar generation fell sharply due to abnormal temperatures
“Apiculture is the scientific method of rearing honeybees. “
The word ‘apiculture’ comes from the Latin word ‘apis’ meaning bee. So, apiculture or beekeeping is the care and management of honey bees for the production of honey and the wax. In this method of apiculture, bees are bred commercially in apiaries, an area where a lot of beehives can be placed. Apiaries can be set up in areas where there are sufficient bee pastures – usually areas that have flowering plants.
The bees are surviving on nectar but are unable to store them in their hives. This is because of erratic weather conditions.
Mustard flowers grow between January and March, but are producing less nectar this year
A box full of Italian bees are producing at most 2-4 kilogram, way below 10 kg earlier
According to the latest National Bee Board report, India has a total of 9,580 registered bee-keepers with 1,412,659 bee colonies. Of them, Bihar has 859 registered bee keepers. However, the real number is stated to be much higher, the researcher said.
According to a report of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Bihar, there are around 9,000 beekeepers in Bihar. The state ranks 11 in honey production in the country.
According to a report by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, India exported 61,333.88 tonnes of natural honey worth Rs 732.16 crore in 2018-19. The major export destinations were the United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arab, Morocco and Qatar.
Agriculture university officials said the tradition of beekeeping is old. However, it suffered its first blow in 1980s, after it was impacted by Thai sacbrood virus (TSBV).
Provides honey which is the most valuable nutritional food.
Provides bee wax which is used in many industries, including cosmetics industries, polishing industries, pharmaceutical industries, etc.
Plays an excellent role in pollination. Honey bees are the best pollinating agents which help in increasing the yield of several crops.
According to the recent studies, the honey bee’s venom contains a mixture of proteins which can potentially be used as a prophylactic to destroying the HIV virus that causes AIDS in humans.
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