Diagnosis and Remedial Measures of Common Technological Problems in Bee Keeping

The main objective of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) is to help the farmers in the command area in the field of agriculture and allied sectors. During the last 3 years i.e. from 2013 to 2015, a record of all the visiting farmers was maintained in the plant health diagnostic laboratory at the KVK, in which complete details of the farmer with address and contact number was maintained. Similarly, the purpose of visiting KVK was recorded date wise by the KVK scientist and at the end of each month, a summary was prepared and analysed. It was inferred that majority of the farmers enquired about management of wax moth and varroa mite which reveals that these are the most important pests of honey bees and their products and cause serious losses in commercial beekeeping. Out of total 71 farmers who visited the KVK with queries pertaining to the honey bees from January to December months, 43.7 per cent farmers (31 farmers) enquired about management of wax moth and 40.8 per cent farmers (29 farmers) enquired about management of varroa mite which confirms that these were the two most devastating pests of honey bees. The other problems faced by the farmers were colony collapse due to severe cold (4.2% farmers), management of honey bees during different seasons (4.2 per cent farmers) and problem of robbing (2.8% farmers).