Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Chettalli organized a three day training programme on “Scientific Honey Bee Keeping and Apiary Management” under RKVY project during 28th to 30th October, 2024. The main aim is to improve the bee keeping skill of farmers in a scientific way to increase the productivity of crops through pollination support and production of honey and other beehive products to increase their income. The exhibition with display of different Honey bee species, Bee keeping equipment’s and enemies of Honey bees was also arranged, which was inaugurated by Dr. Jeena Devasia, Deputy Director (Research), Coffee Research Sub Station, Chettalli and other guests. During inaugural programme, the Guests of Honour Dr. P. Venkata Rami Reddy, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, and Dr. R. N. Kenchareddi, Associate Professor (Agri. Entomology), College of Forestry, (UAHS Shimoga) Ponnampet highlightes the importance of Honey bees in pollination, scientific bee keeping, and apiary management. The Chief Guest Dr. Jeena Devasia, appreciated the efforts of Scientists in bringing the project and briefed the importance of training programme on Scientific Honey bee keeping. The e-training manual was released and the bee keeping equipments were distributed to the beneficiaries. Dr. Rajendiran S., Senior Scientist and Head (I/c), CHES-Chettalli suggested the trainees to utilize information of the training effectively.
The lecture on Role of honey bees in pollination of Agricultural and Horticultural crops and demonstration of using native honey bees for pollination of cucurbit vegetables in polyhouse were given by Dr. PVR Reddy. Exposure visit to College of Forestry, Ponnampet was organized on 29/10/2024 for understanding about Management of bee hives in different seasons, queen rearing, dividing and shifting of bee colonies, Honey extraction etc. On 30/10/2024, a lecture on bee keeping equipments, bee flora, Honey and other bee products, Honey bees Pests and diseases management, Insecticides Harmful to Honey bees was given by Dr. Rani, A.T. Mr. Apoorva B.V., CEO, Kodagu Bee Farms Producer Company Ltd., explained about the Farmers producer company, its benefits to the bee keepers and also shared his more than 10 years’ experience on honey bee keeping with the trainees. In the valedictory programme, the trainees shared their experience about the three day training. The Chief Guest Mr. Apoorva B.V., appreciated the efforts of Scientists, briefed the importance of training programme and encouraged them to join the FPO. About 25 trainees from Kodagu district of Karnataka participated in the training programme.
