PAU HONEY FESTIVAL BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 22

LUDHIANA, FEBRUARY 21:

To equip the beekeepers with the technical information on scientific bee management, to tell them about enemies of honey bees and their management technology, information about bee flora, uses and benefits of honey bees for crop pollination and diversification of beekeeping to further improve the colony and crop productivity, the Department of Entomology, PAU, in collaboration with the Directorate of Extension Education, PAU, is organizing 'honey festival-cum-experience exchange workshop (HFEEW) on \'prospects and promotion of beekeeping for augmenting hive & crop productivity' from February 22-24 at the university premises.

Dr A.K.Dhawan, Head, Department of Entomology, stated that PAU has been pioneer in successful introduction of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) in India during 1962-1964 in general and in Punjab, in particular, and in its subsequent successful multiplication and establishment into the Punjab during early eighties. This establishment of the exotic honey bee has brought in 'sweet revolution' in the state and has made India to join the list of honey exporting countries. He highlighted that PAU has played a key role in the development of bee management technologies, technologies in tackling bee diseases and enemies', for mass queen bee rearing and bee breeding, for production of various other bee products like pollen, propolis, beeswax and royal jelly from Apis mellifera colonies, developing apicultural equipment and in advocating adoption of 'diversification in beekeeping'.

Dr Dhawan elaborated that PAU is the first in India to advocate use of honey bees as an input in increasing crop productivity. With the consistent and highly recognized research and extension efforts by PAU scientists, Punjab which was devoid of beekeeping till 1975, has emerged as a leading state in beekeeping, said he. Punjab, with only 1.53 % of India's geographic area, is contributing more than 30 % of the national apiary honey production and also in supplying A. mellifera colonies and apicultural equipment to other states. Dr Dhawan divulged that at present, Punjab has the distinction of having more than 25,000 beekeepers maintaining more than 2.5 lakh A. mellifera colonies with annual production of more than 10,000 MT of honey. Honey from the state is being exported to 47 countries, he added sharing that the training and guidance by PAU has produced in the state, the country's largest beekeepers, equipment and honey processing plants manufacturers and exporters, and the largest honey traders and honey exporters. Dr. Dhawan said that on this occasion Dr. A.S. Atwal, a bee-keeping scientist and former Dean of College of Agriculture will interact with the participants in the inaugural session. Dr. Atwal has the credit of introducing Italian honey bee in Punjab in the sixties.

Giving the contours, Dr PK Chhuneja, a beekeeping expert, said that on the first day (February 22), 'honey festival-cum-beekeepers participatory interactive workshop' will be organized at kisan mela grounds and the open air theater (behind M.S. Randhawa Library) of the University for the beekeepers, development organizations and interested public. The apicultural scientists from various parts of the country will hold deliberations on the prospects of beekeeping entrepreneurship and its diversification, and the problems of beekeeping along with their solutions, said he. On the event of honey festival, beekeepers and persons connected with beekeeping industry will share their experiences and problems with the fellow beekeepers. Some progressive beekeepers will also be honoured on this occasion. Dr Chhuneja informed that various government organizations, NGOs, beekeepers, beekeeping societies and associations and beekeeping entrepreneurs will put up their exhibitions on February 22-23 displaying their hive products including honey, the value added products of honey, apicultural equipment and achievements. A competition among various stalls for their exhibition and beekeepers for their product development will also be held and the winners be suitably honored, added he.

Dr Chhuneja, giving details, said that on February 23 and 24, a national level 'experience exchange workshop on prospects and promotion of apiculture for augmenting hive & crop productivity' will be organized in Dr Borlaug Wheat Auditorium of the university. During this workshop, scientific interventions and the advances in the beekeeping and research needs will be discussed by the eminent scientists working in this field. Besides lead and oral presentations on varied aspects of apiculture, there will be poster presentations, the best of which will be awarded.




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