Beekeeping & Development
-
No 52
revival of beekeepin in
Karnataka by M S Reddy
The majority of beekeepers keep 2-5 bee boxes only. Very few are commercial beekeepers. Beekeeping with Apis cerana bees was greatly affected by the Thai Sac Brood Virus disease (TSBV) during 1990-91 and virtually destroyed 75-90% of bee colonies. To revive the beekeeping activities, the following schemes are
Honey production With the efforts initiated by the
Year(s)
Honey production
1989-90
785
1990-91
750
1991-92
285
1992-93
210
1993-94
235
being implemented through the Department of Industries and
Commerce and Zilla Panchayats of various districts: *
Apiculture Annual Plan
*
Western Ghat Development Programme
.
(in tons)
*
Special Component Plan
1994-95
285
*
Tribal Subplan
1995-96
325
*
Central Sector Beekeeping Development Programme
1996-97
385
1997-98
410
1998-99
448
*
FAO.-asssisted Apiculture Development Project
Page 14
-A Bees for Development publication
M. S. Reddy
Programmes These have focused on (i) establishing model functioning demonstartion apiaries, (ii) creating the required infrastructure with the locally available material, (iii) training of extension staff and beekeepers on queen rearing, (iv) extension methods, (v) simple and low cost methods of beekeeping and management practices to check further spread of the TSBV disease and (vi) importance of the honey collected from wild species (Apis dorsata). Methods for control of TSBV disease, particularly the short and long term, have been adopted to produce disease tolerant bee colonies. in addition, awareness is being created on the importance of bees and beekeeping through workshops, seminars and honey festivals.
Department of Industries and Commerce of Government of Karnataka through various beekeeping schemes, in general and FAO assisted Apiculture Development Project, in particular, the honey production has increased.
Product development Honey: Interestingly, greater awareness has been created about the value and diversity of bee products, particularly on the classification of the different varieties of honey. Some of
S. Reddy
modern beekeeping with box hives has been in practice since 1935. Although several species of honeybees are available viz., Apis cerana, Apis dorsata, Apis florea and stingless bees, the beekepers and honey hunters exploit bee products only from the first two bees. About 52,000 beekeepers are keeping bees under 13 Beekeeping Cooperative Societies. A state level Karnataka State Beekeepers’ Federation assists the beekeepers by providing marketing facilities, financial support and awareness generation.
Beekeeping Development
M.
eekeeping in Karnataka, India is being practised in traditional hives like clay pots, log hives (particularly the coconut trunk), mud and basket hives. The concept of
Diverse honey exhibited at Festival
a
Honey
.
