Beekeeping training course of ICAR at Punjab agri university

Ludhiana, May 11 (UNI) A 12-day 'Beekeeping Training Course for farmers and farm women of Punjab'' commenced at the Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) here today.

This course has been jointly organised by Directorate of Extension Education and Department of Entomology under ICAR's ''All India Coordinated Project on Honey Bee Research and Trainings'. It will conclude on May 18.

According to Dr Nachhattar Singh Buttar, Head, Department of Entomology, the PAU has been a pioneer institute in the country in successful introduction, establishment, multiplication and dissemination of Italian honey bees throughout India.

The Italian bee has brought about the commercialisation of beekeeping in the country, in general and Punjab in particular, and has enabled the export its good quality honey to even the developed western nations.

Lauding the role of PAU, Dr Buttar said the university has been instrumental in dissemination of scientific technologies in beekeeping to various stakeholders through training camps at different levels. Apicultural scientists of other agri universities and ICAR institutes have also received a training in these camps.

PAU's research and extension efforts have made Punjab the leader in apiary honey production and has transformed the state into a hub of beekeeping in the country within a short span of 30 years.

During the onging training course, trainees will be imparted both theoretical and practical training on various aspects of beekeeping, including species of honey bees, their castes and division of labour, life cycle of Italian honey bees and design and application of various apicultural equipment and machinery.

The course will also impart knowledge on seasonal bee management practices; management of bee enemies and diseases, including the recent problem of Varroa and its management, swarming, robbing and queenlessness problems in honey bee colonies and their remedies; queen bee rearing techniques; honey extraction and processing and packing.

Emphasis is also being laid on collection of bee wax, royal jelly, pollen and propolis besides providing loan facilities to beekeepers from banks and subsidy schemes of the government agencies.

The trainees will also be taken on a tour to the apiaries of progressive beekeepers, to hives and apicultural equipment manufacturing industry and to honey trading and exporting entrepreneurs.

UNI