A Handbook of Beekeeping

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Agriculture is the backbone of Indian economy. Nearly 70% of
human population is dependent on agriculture. In the initial plans, huge
investments were made in agricultural research and development as a result of
which India became self-sufficient in food grain production. Special emphasis
were also given to develop various agro based enterprises like dairy, poultry, fish
farming, sericulture and beekeeping with a view to maximize farm-income and
self-employment. Out of these, beekeeping industry received inadequate
attention resulting its poor development in India.
It is a proven fact that beekeeping improves the economic condition of the
farmers, restrict the migration of rural youth to urban areas and helps in holistic
development of rural society. It is the only enterprise which did not create any
problem to the nature, does not require more capital investment and skilled
labour. This profession can be successfully adopted by well to do as well as
small/marginal farmers, farm-women, landless labourers, rural unemployed youth
and retired or in-service personals. This enterprise has minimum land and
structural requirement. Initial cost to start this profession is also very nominal and
recurring cost in neglible. It is suitable for rural tribals and other weaker sections
of human society.
The honey bees play a vital role in upliftment of crop production through cross
pollination. They can fly 50,000 miles and visit 5,000,000 blossoms to gather
enough nectar to produce about 400 450 gm of honey, which is stored not for
themselves but for the survival of the colony. It is estimated that India has 50
million hectares under cross pollianted crops that are benefitted by Honey bees
pollination 3 to 9 bee colonies depending of crop per hectare are generally
required for adequate pollination. Even if a minimum of 3 colonies per hectare
are considered essential, then about 150 million colonies would be needed for
assured pollination of 50 million hectare crops. Against this requirement, only 1
million bee-colonies are available at present. On the other hand, the population
of wild insect pollinators is on the decline because of reduction in hibernating and
nesting places due to intensive agriculture, deforestation, cleaning of wastelands
and indiscriminate use of pesticides. It is, therefore, considered necessary to
promote and develop beekeeping industry in India for breakthrough in
 agricultural production, self-employment generation and socioeconomic
upliftment in rural areas.
For proper beekeeping development in our country, it is very important to
provide scientific proven technology of beekeeping to beekeepers and create
mass awareness in potential areas at National level. Although, various books on
beekeeping are available in India, but authentic, practical & precise informations
are still lacking for most of the Indian beekeepers. This manuscript is intended to
provide practical information on various aspects in precised and digestible form.
Various key issues have been discussed to make it very useful to every beekeeper,
farmer, student, scientist, planner and policy maker.

AUTHOR: Dr. Dharm Singh and Devender Pratap Singh | ISBN: 9788177542394 |

YEAR: 2006 | PAGES: 291 | SIZE: 15 X 21.5 X 1.5 cm. | BINDING: Hard |

LANGUAGE: English

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

1. Dharm Singh Born in 1956 in Agra (UP.) Did B.Sc Ag (Hons.) in 1978 & M. Sc. Ag.

in 1980, both with first division and Doctorate in 1993 from Agra University. He

started his professions career in 1981 and holds various responsible positions in

Govt. and Non-Govt. organizations. Presently, he is working as Managing Director

in Indian Medicinal Plants Marketing Federation. He has an excellent experience

of research, teaching, extension education and administration at senior level with

expertise in frontier areas of agriculture especially in Watershed Management,

Transfer of Agricultural Technology, Beekeeping, Cultivation of Medicinal Crops,

Vermicomposting/Vermi-culture and Seed Production/Certification. For

outstanding contribution in these frontier areas, he was honoured by S. D.

National Integration Award in 1992, National Vanaushadhi Award in 2001,

National Honey Productivity Award in 2003 and received 22 appreciation letters

from scientists, officers, press, administrators and policy makers of national

repute.

During his professional career, he has published more than 186 research articles

to scientific magazines, 190 to different National/Regional dailies. He has

published 5 books, 47 booklets, 18 book chapters, 38 leaflets/folders, 18

extension bulletins, 32, evaluation/project reports.

He became a member of American Society of Agronomy (USA) in 1990,

International Horticulture Society (Holland) in 1993, Royal Horticulture Society

(London) in 1994, International Bee-Research Association (UK) in 1998, National

Honey Board (USA) in 1999, China Council for Promotion of International Trade

(Beijing) in 2000, National Honey Marketing Board (New Delhi) in 2001 and

Animal Welfare Board of India in 2003.

He has participated in a number of National and International seminars, symposia

and workshops. He is. presently, an advisor of 18 NGOs of National repute and

different committees.

2. Devender Pratap Singh Born in 1984 in Rewari (Haryana). Presently working in

Indian Medicinal Plants Marketing Federation as Assistant Marketing Manager

(Semi-processed Medicinal and Bee-products). He has practical experience of

more than 10 years of beekeeping development and has taken up beekeeping

activity as a mission and rural industry in Northen States.

He has worked as Field Investigator in a project entitled "Integrated Beekeeping

Development Project" of the Federation and developed a new technique of honey

processing called PR Technique in which heating of honey is not required during

processing. By this technique, honey is processed into high quality grade. He is

Secretary General of SDMT (Non Govt. Organization), Honarary Welfare Officer of

Animal Welfare Board of India, Govt. of India and member of National Honey

Marketing Board. He holds the political position in All India Youth Congress as

Vice - President of South West District of Delhi in 2004. He has implemented

NEAC Programme funded by Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India,

Nutritional Garden Development Programme funded by National Horticulture

Board, Govt, of India and other various programmes sponsored by MCD, Delhi,

Ministry of Health, Govt. of India and Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India and

State Governments.
CONTENTS:

1) INTRODUCTION TO BEEKEEPING INDUSTRY

2) HISTORY AND GROWTH OF BEEKEEPING

1 Advances in Beekeeping

2 History of Modern Beekeeping in India

3 Beekeeping and the Freedom Movement

4 Growth of Beekeeping in India

3) IMPORTANCE AND FUTURE PROSPECTS OF BEEKEEPING

1 Importance of Beekeeping

I. Future Prospects of Beekeeping Development in India

4) PROBLEMS AND FUTURE STRATEGIES OF BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT

1 Low Adoption of Modern Technologies by the Beekeepers

2 Farmer's Unawareness Regarding Honeybee Pollination

3 Poor Quality Control and Storage of Honey

4 Difficulties During Migration of Colonies

5 Lack of Market Support

6 Diversification in Beekeeping for Increasing Farm Income

7 Uncontrolled use of Pesticide by Farmers

8 Lack of Mass Planting of Bee Flora

 9 Lack of Consumer's Awareness about Value of Honey

10 Careless Toddy Harvest

11 Beekeeping not Being Considered as an Employment Generating Activity

12 Lack of Infrastructure at State Level for Beekeeping

13 Lack of Financial Help from Government / Other Agencies

14 Lack of Interaction among Beekeepers and Scientists

15 Important Suggestions

5) ROLE OF BEEKEEPING IN CROP PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENT

1 Introduction

2 Why Pollinators are Important

3 What is Pollination

4 The Relationship between Flowers and Honeybees

5 More Facts about Pollinators

6 Planned Bee Pollination a New Agriculture Production Strategy

7 What is Need for Planned Pollination by Honeybees

8 Specialties of Honeybees as the Ideal Agents of Pollination

9 Species of Honeybees Useful for Planned Pollination

10 Advantages of Bee Pollination

11 Management of the Honeybee Colonies for Pollination

 12 Effect of Planned Honeybee on Crop Productivity Mentor

13 Important Bee Dependent Crops

6) EQUIPMENTS AND APPLIANCES FOR BEEKEEPING

1 Bee Hive

2 Comb

3 Other Appliances

7) ORIGIN AND CLASSIFICATION OF HONEYBEES

1 Origin

2 Classification of Honeybees

8) SPECIES OF HONEYBEE AND THEIR CASTES

1 Species

I. The Rock Bees (Apis dorsata)

II. The Little Bee (Apis florea)

III. The Indian Bee: (Apis cerana)

IV. The European Bees (Apis mellifera)

2 Caste

I. The Queen

II. The Workers

III. The Drone

9) ANATOMY OF HONEYBEES

1 External Anatomy

I. The Head

(a) Antenna (e)

(b) Eye (s)

(c) Mouth Parts

(d) The Thorax

II. The Legs

III. The Wings

IV. The Abdomen

2 Internal Anatomy

I. Digestive System

II. The Nervous and Sensory System

III. The Reproductive System

IV. The Respiratory System

10) LIFECYCLE OF HONEYBEES AND DIVISION OF LABOUR

1. Developmental Stages of Honeybees

I. Egg Stage

II. Larval Stage

 III. Pupal Stage

IV. Adult Stage

2. Division of Labour

i. Indoor Duties

ii. Out Door Duties

3. Communication among Bees

11) PROTECTIVE AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM OF HONEYBEES

1. Protective System

2. Protective Measures for Beekeepers

3. Communication System

12) PBEHAVIOUR AND SENSES OF HONEYBEE

1. Behaviour of Honeybees

2. Honeybee Senses

I. Smell

II. Sight

III. Taste

IV. Touch

13) CLIMATE AND RESOURCE NEEDS FOR BEEKEEPING

1. Climate and Beekeeping

 2. The Nectar Flow

3. The Honey Flow

4. Resourse Needs of the Colony

I. Nectar

II. Pollen

III. Propolis

IV. Water

14) SEASONABLE MANAGEMENT OF BEE COLONIES

1. Management during Spring

I. Examination of Colonies

II. Simulative Feeding

III. Maintenance of the Apiary Site

IV. Multiplication of Colonies and Swarm

2. Management during Summer

I. Provision of Fresh Water

II. Provision of Shade

III. Provision of Space

IV. Preparing Colonies for Maximum Honey Gathering

V. Honey Extraction
 3. Management during Monsoon

I. Storage of Extra Frames

II. Feeding

III. Robbing

4. Management during Autumn and Winter

I. Examination of Colonies

II. Feeding the Colonies

III. Placement of Colonies

IV. Protection from Chilly Winds

V. Winter Packing

i. Inner Packing

ii. Outer Packing

15) SPECIAL BEE MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS

1. Management of Laying Worker Colonies

I. Giving Eggs

II. Transplanting Queen Cells

III. Requeening

IV. Uniting Laying Worker Colonies

2. Swarming Management
3. Capturing the Swarm

I. Swarm Control

II. Removal of Congestion

III. Reversing

IV. Remedial Measures

4. Control of Robbing in the Apiary

5. Supersedere, Absconding and Bee - Sting Management

I. Supersedure

II. Absconding

III. Bee Sting Management

6. Fall Management

7. Remove Queen Excluders

8. Providing Colonies with Sufficient Food

9. High Quality Food

10. Top and Bottom Entrances

I. Sheltered Winter Location

11. Wrap with Roofing Paper

12. Unite Weak Colonies

13. Requeen Colonies that have Old Queens

 14. Do Not Keep Diseased or Spray Poisoned Colonies

15. Remove Empty or Partially Filled Supers

16. Food Management during Dearth Period

16) MULTIPLICATION OF HONEYBEE COLONIES AND COMMERCIAL QUEEN

REARING

1. Points to be Considered at the Time of Colony Multiplication

2. Method of Colony Multiplication

3. Commercial Queen Rearing

I. Method of Commercial Queen Rearing

II. Preparation of a Frame for Affixing the Queen Cell Cups

III. Preparing a Drip Stick for Queen Cell Cup Construction

IV. Making Queen Cell Cups

V. Affixing Cell Cups

VI. Moulding of the Queen Cell Cups by the Bees

VII. Larval Grafting

VIII. Transplanting Queen Cells

IX. Reserve Stock of Queen Bees

X. Mass Queen Rearing Technology

XI. Latest Technology for Commercial Queen Rearing

17) THE ENEMIES OF HONEYBEES

1. The Wax Moth

I. Greater Wax Moth (Galleria mellonella)

II. Laser Wax-Moth (Achroia grisella)

2. Mites

I. Varroa Mite (Vatroa jacobsoni)

i. Other Enemies

18) DISEASES OF HONEYBEES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT

1. Diseases of Bee - Brood

i. American Foul Brood

ii. European Foul Brood

iii. Thai Sac Brood

2. Diseases of Adult Bees

3. Management of Honeybee Diseases

I. Control Measures of Honeybee Diseases

i. Viral Diseases

ii. Bacterial Diseases

iii. Fungal Diseases

19) PESTICIDAL POISONING IN HONEYBEES AND ITS COUNTER MEASURES

 1. Pesticidal Poisoning

i. Symptoms of Honey Bee Poisoning

2. Safety Measures to Overcome Harmful Effects of Pesticides on Honeybees

3. Methods of Protecting Honeybees from Pesticide Poisoning

I. Protection of Crop Plants

II. Management of Honeybees

20) HONEYBEE PRODUCTS AND THEIR VALUES

1. Honey

2. Wax

3. Propolis

4. Royal Jelly

5. Bee Venom

6. Other Products

I. Pollen

i. Properties and Composition

ii. Uses of Pollen

21) THE HONEY

1. Kind of Honey

I. As per Origin
 II. As per Methods of Processing

III. Other kind of Honey which meets all the Compositional and Quality

Criteria

2. Chemical Composition of Honey

3. Properties of Honey

4. Uses of Honey

I. Use as Instant Energy Source

II. Use as Cosmetics

III. Use as a Food Ingradient

IV. Medicinal use of Honey

V. Other Uses

5. Physiological Effects of Honey

6. Value Added Products of Honey

7. Hydroxy - Methyl - Furfural (HMF)

8. Honey Adulteration

22) EXTERACTION, HANDLING, PROCESSING AND STORAGE OF HONEY

1. Extraction of Honey

2. Handling of Honey before Processing

I. Moisture Content
 3. Processing

i. Heat Treatment

ii. Straining

iii. Filteration

4. Design of Honey Processing Unit

I. Pre-heating Tank

II. Honey Pump

III. Filtering Unit

IV. Processing Unit

V. Cooling Tank

VI. Settling Tank

5. Storage

I. Honey Containers

23) GRANULATION AND FERMENTATION OF HONEY

1. Honey Granulation

2. Honey Fermentation

24) ROYAL JELLY PRODUCTION AND PROCESSING

1. Properties and Composition of Royal Jelly

2. Royal Jelly Production Technology

 I. Management of Breeder and Cell Builder

i. Breeder Colony

ii. Cell Builder Colony

II. Larval Grafting

3. Royal Jelly Extraction

4. World Scenarios of Royal Jelly Production

5. Filtration, Storage and Processing of Royal Jelly

I. Usages of Royal Jelly

i. Use of Royal Jelly as Dietary Supplement

ii. Use of Royal Jelly as Ingredient in Food Products

iii. Use of Royal Jelly as Ingredient in Medicine like Products

iv. Use of Royal Jelly as Ingredient in Cosmetics

v. Others

II. Utility of Royal Jelly

i. To Honey Bees

ii. Royal Jelly as Mystery Food for Humans

iii. Poor Man's Royal Jelly

III. Royal Jelly Standards

25) MARKETING PROSPECTS OF BEE-HIVE PRODUCTS

1. The Food System / Marketing System

2. Honey

I. Domestic Marketing

i. Demand and Supply

ii. Segmentation

iii. Trends

iv. Trade Channels

v. Competiton

vi. Marketing Problems

vii. Pricing

viii. Promotion

II. International Marketing

i. Demand and Supply

ii. Segmentation

iii. Trends

iv. Trade Channels

v. Competition

vi. Marketing Problems

III. Honey Standards

 3. Market Outlook of Beehive Products

l. Bee Wax

ll. Pollen

lll. Propolis

lV. Royal Jelly

V. Bee Venom

4. Intervention of Indian Medicinal Plants Marketing Federation in Marketing of

Honey

1) APPENDIX

I. ECONOMICS AND COST - BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF BEEKEEPING UNITS

1. Beekeeping Units

(A) Cost - Benefit Analysis of 10 Colony Apiary

(B) Cost - Benefit Analysis of a 25- Colony Apiary

(C) Cost - Benefit Analysis of a 50- Colony Apiary

(D) Cost - Benefit Analysis of a 100- Colony Apiary

II. BEEKEEPING DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES OF KVIC

1. Eligible Projects

2. Eligible Activities

3. Eligible Borrowers
 4. Ceiling Limit of the Project

5. Rural Area

6. Banks

7. Sponsorship

8. EDP Training

9. Margin Money

10. Borrower's Contribution

11. Quantum of Loan

12. Payment of Margin Money

III. BEEKEEPING PROJECT MODELS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER RURAL

EMPLOYMENT GENERATION PROGRAMME

1. Comb Foundation Unit Project

2. Honey Processing Unit

3. Bee - Box Manufacturing Unit

IV. ACMARK STANDARDS FOR HONEY

V. BIS (ISI) STANDARDS FOR HONEY

VI. CHARACTERISTICS REQUIRED FOR TABLE HONEY IN SOME COUNTRIES

VII. ORGANIZATIONS INVOLED IN BEEKEEPING RESEARCH

VIII. MANUFACTURES / SUPPLIERS OF BEEKEEPING EQUIPMENTS

IX. IMPORTANT BEEKEEPERS OF INDIA

1. Andhra Pradesh

2. Assam

3. Bihar

4. Himachal Pradesh

5. Jammu & Kashmir

6. Orissa

7. Haryana

X. GLOSSARY

XI. BIBLIOGRAPHY

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