Honey mela enthuses people to embrace apiculture, organic farming

MANGALURU: The two-day honey and organic mela organized by the horticulture department of Dakshina Kannada zilla panchayat that got under way at Kadri Park is focussing on green pastures of apiculture and organic farming.
Training sessions by resource persons highlighted the significance of apiculture and its commercial aspects. Meanwhile, farmers from various parts of the district showcased honey and other organic produces at the exhibition stalls.
Techniques of bee-keeping was explained with demonstrations to attract more enthusiasts towards apiculture.
Organic farmer Ramanna of Krishimithra Nursery, Puttur, told STOI that apiculture is not only a source of income, but also plays a significant role in pollination.
Ramanna, who has 10 years of experience in bee-keeping, said that he has been supplying bee-keeping boxes and bee family transportation boxes manufactured at his Wood and Wood Art Industries located in Sullia to various parts of the state.
“I have been supplying different types of bee-keeping boxes. A box with four frames costs Rs 1,200 and if the number of frame is six, the rate is Rs 1,800. A box with eight frames is sold at Rs 2,500,” he said, adding that a box can be used continuously for over 15 years.
Talking about honey extraction from the bee-keeping box, Ramanna said March is the right period to collect honey. “We need not bother much about the box. We can keep it in our premises for 11 months. In March, we can extract honey at least once a week and earn a good income. We keep ‘thoduve’ variety of bees in boxes. Meanwhile, ‘hejjenu’ are seen on buildings and trees in forests,” he said. Ramanna said that he has also been taking part as the resource person in workshops on apiculture and train enthusiasts in bee-keeping.
Many stalls at the exhibition showcased honey extracted from forest, honey from coorg and the brands from other states including Jammu and Kashmir. Mangaluru taluk panchayat president U K Monu inaugurated the two-day fair.