Apiculture an introduction
- 1. Apiculture - AN INTRODUCTION Dr. S. N. Bhalerao Associate Professor Department Of Zoology Anantrao Pawar Arts, Commerce & Science College, Pirangut, Tal. Mulshi, Dist. Pune
- 2. APICULTURE Apiculture is one of the most important branch of applied zoology that deals with the rearing of honeybees in order to obtain honey, byproducts like wax, pollen, propolis, bee venom, and also for crop pollination.
- 3. • Apiculture is also known as Beekeeping. • Genus of honeybee is ‘Apis’ and thus it is called as Apiculture. • Rearing of honey bees by Scientific techniques and methods is known as Apiculture. • To take care and manage honey bees with modern, scientific & commercial techniques to produce honey and byproducts. • In this, bees are reared commercially in apiaries having a number of bee hives. • Apiary is a place where rearing of honeybee takes place. • The commercial success of bee keeping depends on the knowledge about honeybees and Apiculture techniques. INTRODUCTION
- 4. • Honey bees are very closely associated with humans. • Bee rearing is very easy to manage i.e. without any age bar and gender and it provides additional income. • It requires less space and low investment but provides good returns without any disturbance to regular agriculture crops • It provides honey and by products like bee wax, pollen, propolis, bee venom etc. • Honey bees are excellent pollinating agents, thus they help to increase agricultural yields. Advantages of bee-keeping
- 5. • Previously honey bees were used only to produce honey as sweetener. • But for last few decades, honeybees are reared scientifically and using modern techniques. • Honey bees play a major role in pollinating a number of agricultural and horticultural crops. • They increase crop yields and thus it is beneficial to practice it. • In some countries Beekeepers also get paid a good rental value for bee keeping. Honeybees and Agriculture
- 6. Honeybees and Agriculture • Majority of cultivated crops in most parts of the globe are cross-fertilized. • They are mostly dependent on insects for pollination. • Diminishing population of useful pollinating insects has become a major global issue. • Honeybees are considered as the most efficient and reliable pollinating insects even after pollution issues. • Thus Apiculture and Agriculture are interdependent for mutual benefits.
- 7. Oilseed Crops Legume Seed Crops Orchard Crops Vegetable Crops White Mustard, Rapseed, Toria, Sarso, Sunflower, Linseed, Niger, etc. Alfalfa, Vetches, Broad Beans, Dwarf Beans, etc. Apple, Pears, Plums, Cherry, Strawberry, Raspberry, Litchi, Citrus varieties, Melons, Almond, Peach, Guava, Gooseberry, etc. Radish, Cabbage, Turnip, Carrot, Onion, Cauliflower, Gourds, etc. Few Crops Benefited by Bee Pollination
- 8. Plants for better Honey yields • Best nectar-yielding plants like Neem, Jamun, etc. • For nectar and pollen, both, plants like Sheesham, Maize, Sorghum, etc. • Flowering plants in surrounding helps to get better yields.
- 9. Challenges for Apiculture • Global warming, which has caused flowers to bloom earlier or later than usual. • Due to such seasonal changes the yield gets affected. • Pesticide use to kill pests harms the honey bees which are essential for pollination. • Habitat loss due to development, deforesting, abandoned farms, developing gardens without non friendly flowers to pollinators, Pollution, etc. • Enemies like wasps, ants, beetles, mites, etc.
- 10. Awareness about Apiculture 1. To make aware and train the farmer about apiculture. 2. Developing training centers near rural areas. 3. Supply the colonies and apiary material to set hive boxes in the fields and to teach bee rearing. 3. To teach seasonal variation impact on bee colony & honey yield. 4. To teach about the socio-economic impact of apiculture in agriculture yield. 5. To educate about the Microbial study about pathogens and bee parasites and prevention techniques for apiculture.
- 11. FUTURISTIC APPROACH • Honey has a great food and medicinal value and provides cash income. • Beeswax also is in great demand and pays double then honey. • Other byproducts viz. bee-collected pollen, propolis, venom and royal jelly pays additionally with honey and beeswax. • Capable to provide part-time employment without compromising the main occupation. • Additional income may help to stop migration of farmers. • May help the farmers by increasing crop-productivity along with additional income source.
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