Scientific Beekeeping Technology for Sustainable Agriculture and Employment Generation

Abstract

Beekeeping (or apiculture) is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made hives, by humans. Beekeeping is an agro-based occupation that provides income and employment generation for rural and tribal families. It plays a vital role in the present context of the commercialization of agriculture and liberalization of the economy. It covers the entire scope of honeybee resources, bee-products, beekeeping practices, pollination services, and their interface with business systems and ecological integrity. Bees are a special gift to mankind due to their pollination services and valued products like honey, beeswax, propolis, bee venom, etc. Honey bee farming in India is also a good source of income for the farmers especially during the period when the growth of crop is still under process. After Indian independence, beekeeping was promoted through various rural developmental programs. Beekeeping has been included as an activity for promoting cross pollination of Horticultural Crops under National Horticulture Mission since May, 2005.