The Central Horticultural Experiment Station (ICAR-IIHR), Chettalli organized a three days training programme on “Scientific Honey Bee Keeping and Apiary Management” under RKVY project from 10th December to 12th December, 2024 at Chettalli. About 30 trainees from Hassan, Chikmagalur and Kodagu district of Karnataka participated in the training programme. The programme started with the inauguration of exhibition by Dr. Ravishankar K.V., Principal Scientist and Nodal officer, RKVY Projects Cell, ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru and other guests. Exhibition includes the display of different Honey bee species, Bee keeping equipment’s and enemies of Honey bees. The formal inaugural programme was started with ICAR and IIHR songs. Dr. Rani A.T. welcomed the gathering and briefed about the training programme. The Chief Guest Dr. Ravishankar K.V. appreciated the efforts of Scientists in conducting the training programme, briefed the importance of training programme on Scientific Honey bee keeping and encouraged the trainees to take up the bee keeping activity. Dr. Muralidhara, B.M., Scientist (Fruit Science) and Principal Investigator of the RKVY project, CHES-Chettalli briefed about the role of Honey bees in pollination and suggested the trainees to make utilize the training programme. 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, explained about the importance of Coorg honey, Honey bees and beekeeping in Kodagu district.
On the first day, the 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 for participants. Exposure visit to College of Forestry, Ponnampet was organized on 11/12/2024. Dr. R. N. Kenchareddi briefed about Management of bee hives in different seasons, queen rearing, dividing and shifting of bee colonies, Management of swarming and absconding bees etc. On 12/12/2024, the lectures covered artificial feed management, honey harvesting, processing and storage, Honey bees Pest and disease management, Impact of pesticides on bees, Insecticides Harmful to Honey bees and were handled by Dr. Rani, A.T. Practical session was carried out on hiving of Apis cerana colonies from natural nesting sites to the Honey bee box. The topics on Honey bee Colony inspection, Bee flora, Demonstration of native honey bees for pollination of cucurbit vegetables in polyhouse were also covered. It was followed by the formal valedictory programme. The trainees shared their experience about the three days training. The guest of Honour Shri. Bose Mandanna, Former Vice Chairman, Coffee Board and Progressive planter, Suntikoppa and Managing Director, Kodagu Bee Farms Producer Company Ltd., Gonikoppa appreciated the efforts of Scientists, explained about the Farmers producer company, its benefits to the bee keepers and also shared his experience on honey bee keeping with the trainees and encouraged them to form their own FPO of bee keepers in Hassan district. Dr. R. N. Kencharaddi Associate Professor (Agri. Entomology), College of Forestry, (UAHS Shimoga) Ponnampet explained about the importance of honey and bee products in Api-therapy, encouraged the trainees to take up the beekeeping as an entrepreneurship. The Chief Guest Dr. C.G. Kushalappa, Ex- Dean, College of Forestry (UAHS, Shimoga) and President, Agricultural Sciences Forum of Kodagu (ASFK), Ponnampet briefed on the importance of honey bees in pollination of horticultural crops, conservation of biodiversity through beekeeping and encouraged the trainees to take up the Bee keeping activity. The certificates were distributed to the trainees. Dr. Rajendiran S., Senior Scientist and Head (I/c), CHES-Chettalli, presided over the programme encouraged the trainees to make their own brands for marketing the Coorg Honey and enhance their income level.
