Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Chettalli organized three day Training Programme on “Scientific Honey Bee Keeping and Apiary Management” as part of RKVY project from 12th to 14th November, 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. At the outset, the exhibition inaugurated by Dr. K Sridevi, Deputy Director (Extension), Coffee Board, Technology Evaluation Centre, Gonikoppa, South Kodagu in the presence of other guests. Exhibition included display of different Honey bee species, Bee keeping equipment’s and enemies of Honey bees. Dr. Rani A.T. welcomed the gathering and briefed about the training programme. The Chief Guest Dr. K Sridevi, appreciated the efforts of Scientists in bringing the project and briefed the importance of training programme on Scientific Honey bee keeping and role of Honey bees in pollination. The bee keeping equipment’s were distributed to the beneficiaries. Dr. Rajendiran S., Senior Scientist and Head (I/c), CHES, Chettalli, presided over the programme and suggested the trainees to make utilize of the training programme. Dr. Nayan Deepak G. Scientist (Fruit Science) explained about the importance of honey bees in pollination of fruit crops and encouraged the trainees to take up the Bee keeping activity. The inaugural programme was ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Muralidhara, B.M., Scientist (Fruit Science), CHES, Chettalli.
After the inaugural programme, series of lectures on the importance of Scientific Bee keeping and Apiary management, Role of honey bees in pollination of Agricultural and Horticultural crops, basics about Honey bees and Apiculture-theory and practical class were arranged. Exposure visit to College of Forestry, Ponnampet was organized on the second day i.e. on 13/11/2024. Dr. R. N. Kenchareddi engaged with the theory and practical on Management of bee hives in different seasons, queen rearing, dividing and shifting of bee colonies, Honey extraction etc. On 14/11/2024, sessions were arranged on bee keeping equipment’s, bee flora, Honey and other bee products, Honey bees Pests and diseases management, Insecticides Harmful to Honey bees. Practical session was carried out on hiving of Apis cerana colonies from tree to the Honey bee box by the trainees. Mr. N.C. Subbaya, Managing Director, Kodagu Bee Farms Producer Company Ltd., Gonikoppal 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 days training. The Chief Guest Mr. N.C. Subbaya, appreciated the efforts of Scientists, briefed the importance of training programme and encouraged them to join the FPO. The certificates were distributed to the trainees. Dr. Rajendiran S., Senior Scientist and Head (I/c), CHES-Chettalli, presided over the programme. Dr. Muralidhara, B.M., encouraged the trainees to make their own brands for marketing the Coorg Honey and enhance their income level. About 25 trainees from Kodagu district of Karnataka participated in the training programme.
