“India constitutes 12.2 million of honey bees,” disclosed Dr Sangeet Ranguwal, an economics expert, while delivering her talk on “Export of Honey and their Products” during the monthly training camp for Progressive Beekeepers Association at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) today. As many as 22 beekeepers attended the camp held under the aegis of Directorate of Extension Education.
Nestling 12.2 million honey bee colonies, India produced 1.2 million tonnes of honey, she divulged. Being an important ingredient of every Indian household, honey’s demand was seeing an upswing due to changing dietary patterns, its highly nutritive value and growing taste buds of the heath-conscious population, said Dr Ranguwal.
Dr Sonika Sharma, a food and nutrition expert, highlighted the health benefits of honey comprising its vital role in biological, physiological and pharmacological activities. She also warned against the side effects of long-term use of bee pollen, resulting in skin rash, bruising, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, rapid weight gain, etc.
