Interaction with farmers

As part of our field visit to Beredi Bee keeping, Thaligram for understanding the
practice of bee keeping and honey production, we have observed various
aspects of Apiculture. After our observation of the apiary site, bee keeping
equipments and honeybee colonies, we interacted with the farmers or bee
keepers who are managing all of these. We asked the following questions to
them –
1)what kind of honeybee they are using in beekeeping and why?
A. Apis mellifera (Italian bee) is used because of its higher honey yield, specific
market demand and also it can be easily domesticated. Its introduction
complements local bee species like Apis cerana and can provide additional
pollination services and economic opportunities for beekeepers in the region.
2) What are the requirements for a good harvest in Apiculture?
A. The key to success of beekeeping lies mainly in three things: Good apiary
site, Good bee colony, Proper management.
3) What are different types of Honeybees commonly used in beekeeping?
A. In Assam, mainly Apis cerana (Asian honeybee) or Apis mellifera (European
honeybee) is used. The Apis cerana is native to the region and well-adapted to
local environmental conditions.
4) What are the different flowers available for Apiculture?

A. A variety of flora such as wildflowers, fruit trees (e.g., citrus, mango), herbs,
and crops like mustard, tea, and jute etc.
5) When is the growth season?
A. October to November,after the monsoon season
6) what are the signs of a healthy bee colony?

A. Abundant population with active foraging behavior, consistent brood

patterns, ample stores of pollen and honey, a clean hive environment, minimal
signs of pests and diseases, presence of a productive queen and a calm
demeanor among the bees are key indicators of a thriving colony.
7) What are the natural pests of bee colony?
A. ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor and Tropilaelaps clareae are causing
severe Damage to Apis mellifera colonies. other pests are wax moths,small hive
beetles, ants, wasps etc.
8) What are the equipments required in Apiculture?
A. Beehives (such as Langstroth or traditional log hives), hive tools for
manipulation, protective gear like bee suits and veils, smokers for calming bees
during inspections, honey extractors for harvesting honey, and frames for comb
building and management. Additionally pollen traps, queen excluders, and
feeders for supplemental feeding may be used.
9) What is supplementary feeding?
A. Bees require supplementary feeding when the food stores Are poor.
Supplementing the food stores of bee colonies with sugar syrup and pollen
Substitute/pollen supplement

10)What is the best food?

A. Honey is the best food for bees. To substitute honey stores, sugar in
Different forms (as syrup, dry or candy) can be fed to the needy colonies.
11) how much honey is extracted at a time?
A. In a week 2 times extracted, upto 10-15 litres.
12)What is size of beehive box?

A. A wooden Apis mellifera beehive box is 50×40×25 inches (L×W×H).

Hands-on-training
Our field visit to Beredi Bee keeping, Thaligram, introduced theoretical
Education as well as hands on training to us. The Hands-on training for
beekeeping and honey production involved practical sessions and
demonstrations that covered various aspects of beekeeping practices. Here are
the key components -

1. **Introduction to Beekeeping Equipment**: we are familiarized with the

various beekeeping equipment and tools used in apiaries, such as
beehives (Langstroth, top-bar, etc.), frames, smokers, hive tools,
protective gear (suits, veils, gloves), and honey extractors.
2. **Hive Inspection Demonstration**: Trainers demonstrate how to
conduct a hive inspection safely, including approaching the hive, using
smoke to calm bees, opening and inspecting frames for brood, honey
stores, and identifying the queen (if possible).
3. **Handling Bees**: we learned how to handle bees gently and
confidently, using proper techniques for frame manipulation, lifting
frames, identifying different castes of bees (queen, workers, drones), and
recognizing healthy brood patterns.
4. **Honey Harvesting Process**: Trainers demonstrate the honey
harvesting process, including uncapping frames, using honey extractors
to spin out honey, filtering honey, and storing it in jars or containers.
5. **Pest and Disease Identification**: we are taught how to identify
common pests (Varroa mites, wax moths) and diseases (American
foulbrood, chalkbrood) in bee colonies, as well as signs of stress or poor
colony health.
6. **Queen Management Techniques**: Trainers explain queen
management techniques such as queen rearing, introducing new
queens, identifying a healthy queen, and managing queenless or weak
colonies.
7. **Feeding and Nutrition**: we learned about feeding bees during nectar
dearth periods, providing supplemental feed (sugar syrup, pollen
substitutes), and ensuring bees have access to diverse floral resources
for balanced nutrition.
 8. **Safety and Hive Maintenance**: Emphasis is placed on safety
protocols, proper use of protective gear, maintaining hygiene in the
apiary, hive maintenance (cleaning, repairing frames), and record-
keeping for hive inspections and management practices.
9. **Q&A and Discussion**: We got the opportunity to ask questions,
discuss observations, and engage in interactive discussions with trainers
and experienced beekeepers to deepen our understanding of
beekeeping principles and practices.

Observation
During our field visit to an apiary for observing beekeeping and honey
production, we engaged in the following observations and activities:
Apiary Setup: we observed the layout and organization of the apiary, including
the arrangement of beehives, location selection (sunlight, wind protection),
and accessibility for beekeepers.
Beehive Types: we learn about different types of beehives used in the apiary,
such as Langstroth hives, top-bar hives, or traditional log hives, and observe
their structures, frames, and components.
Colony organisation and division of labour: A normal bee colony has (i) a Queen
bee, (ii) 60,000-70,000 Workers, (iii) a few hundreds of Drones

i)queen is the largest in size. Its wings are smaller and are shrivelled. Mouth
parts for sucking food is shorter than that of workers.No wax glands. The
average life span is of 3 years. She May lay eggs at the rate of 800 – 1500 per
day. She can lay 2 types of eggs – 1. Fertilized – eggs that produce females
either sterile workers or fertile females (new queens).

2. Unfertilised – eggs which produce drones.

Development - Each Colony has different developmental stages viz eggs, larvae
and pupae which are collectively Known as brood.
Box