Role of Honey Bees for Income Generation in Farming System

Abstract

Beekeeping is the best rural based enterprise for strengthening the economic status of whole society which can be practiced by anyone. It does not require either any heavy initial investment or continuous labor, so can be integrated with any other farming practice. It provides various products viz., honey, pollen, and wax apart from serving as pollinators. Honey bees are the only pollinators which can be made readily available in considerable numbers, whenever and wherever needed. Like other agro-inputs (Fertilizer, seeds, pesticides, irrigation, etc.) honey bees can be exploited as another vital agro input to enhance crop productivity. Beekeeping products and increase in crop productivity due to bee pollination boost the farmers’ income and ultimately their livelihood.