Indian Journal of Extension Education
UGC CARE (Group 1)
  • Year: 2020
  • Volume: 56
  • Issue: 2

Apis cerana, an useful and popular beekeeping in Chamba District of Himachal Pradesh Compared to Apis mellifera

  • Author:
  • Anurag Sharma1, Rajeev Raina2, Renu Kapoor3, Kehar Singh Thakur4, Manish Thakur5
  • Total Page Count: 3
  • Page Number: 118 to 120

1Scientist, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba at Saru Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

2Principal Scientist & Head, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba at Saru Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

3Asstt. Prof., Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba at Saru Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

4Asstt. Rof., Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba at Saru Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

5Asstt. Professsor Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Chamba at Saru Dr. Y S Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh

Online published on 31 March, 2021.

Abstract

Beekeeping in Chamba is very primitive but first modern beekeeping station was started in the year 1954 at Sarol. Since then there is an increase in beekeeping in the district. Apis cerana, an Indian bee is widely distributed in Chamba. Primitive bee hives of Apis cerana are available in almost each household in some of the villages of Bharmaur and Tissa block. A. cerana bees do not require migration during the winter months but for A. mellifera it is an integral part of beekeeping. A. cerana bees also not require any specialized bee hive but they are being reared in walls of the old houses. Each colony of A. cerana yield around 12 kg of honey in a year, which is harvested twice in a year in the month of June and again in the month of September. The average price of honey is around ₹ 250 per kg.

Keywords

A. cerana, A. mellifera, honey, economics, indigenous beekeeping, production