A training programme on rearing sting-less bees (melliponiculture) at the Kasaragod-based Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) highlighted its potential as an income generating enterprise.
S Devaneshan, Head of AICRP (All-India Coordinated Research Project) on Honeybees, College of Agriculture, Vellayani, who handled the training programme, said that rearing honeybees in homesteads can boost agricultural production as they are very effective pollinators.
Giving the example of Kasaragod district of northern Kerala, he said the district has 58,088 hactres of coconut and 25,374 hactres of rubber plantations. This provides a potential of rearing 2.53 lakh honeybee colonies. However, not even 10 per cent of it is materialised, he said.
More than 60 farmers participated in the training programme that had the motto of ‘one sting-less bee hive in every homestead’.
The programme was jointly organised by Krishi Vijnana Kendra of Kasaragod and the Kerala State Horticultural Mission at CPCRI in Kasaragod on March 4 and 5.
Ravi Bhat, Director in charge of CPCRI, inaugurated the programme. Thirumaleshwara Bhat, Deputy Director of Agriculture, Kasaragod, presided over the programme.
A press release by CPCRI said here that Sajan Jose, Professor at St. Joseph’s College, Moolamattam, and Devaneshan, handled the training classes.