A one-day training programme on “Scientific beekeeping and value addition” was organized on 16 December 2022 at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru by the IIHR-BESST-HORT in collaboration with the Division of Crop Protection, with the objective to impart hands on training in scientific beekeeping and enhance awareness among budding entrepreneurs and farmers on the importance of beekeeping in horticulture and its potential as a commercial enterprise. There were 40 participants including working professionals, farmers, retired employees and students who had shown keen interest in learning beekeeping techniques. Training included lectures followed by extensive practical class where trainees were exposed to handling honey bees, hive maintenance and honey extraction. Topics covered included stating an apiary, kinds of honey bees, management of bees for higher productivity, pests and diseases of honey bees, role of bees in pollination, honey processing and quality testing, value added products and government support to beekeeping. A successful commercial beekeeper Mr. Apoorva was invited as a guest resource person to share his experience.
During Valedictory session, Dr. S. K. Singh, Director, ICAR-IIHR emphasized the role of beekeeping in horticulture as majority of horticultural crops are dependent on honey bees for pollination and appreciated the team for successful conducting of training. The training was coordinated by Dr. C. K. Narayana, CEO, BESST-HORT, Dr. P. V. Rami Reddy, Principal Scientist & Head and Dr. B. R. Jayanthimala, Senior Scientist, Division of Crop Protection.
