Beekeepers flag adulteration as biggest challenge at apiculture conference in Bengaluru

For Narpinder Singh Dhaliwal, a farmer and beekeeper from Punjab, beekeeping was never part of his future plans. It was a hobby that changed into a profession. He started beekeeping in 1997 with only five bee colonies. With more than 800 bee colonies, he specialises in mustard and creamed honey.

He started dairy farming due to financial difficulties, but faced a backlash. Later, his friend suggested that he get into the beekeeping business. He has received three national awards and, on March 6, was one of the beekeepers honoured at the national conference on ‘New Frontiers in Apiculture’.

The University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UAS-B) organised the conference in association with Indian Council of Agricultural Research and All India Coordinated Research Project (ICAR-AICRP) on Honey Bees and Pollinators, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi and National Bee Board (NBB), New Delhi.

According to Mr. Dhaliwal, the main problem in apiculture today is adulteration, and the huge differentiation in cost of production and the production itself.

L. Nagraj, farmer from Ballari in Karnataka, also spoke of adulteration as a challenge. He explained the economic disparity between adulterated honey, which is sold for anywhere between ₹50 and ₹100 in the market, and virginal honey, which is sold at ₹500 to ₹1,000. Mr. Nagaraj started his journey with his brother on 70 acres of land, but faced difficulties initially. “The government tries its best to provide subsidy for beekeeping, but the benefits do not reach the end consumers,” he said.

Reflecting on the importance of honey, he highlighted the previous reliance on honey for sustenance before the advent of sugar, noting its health benefits.

According to Poonam Jasrotia, Assistant Director General, ICAR, New Delhi, more emphasis is required in bee genetics, vertical apiary and new technological development through AI.

Several entrepreneurs displayed products for the beekeeping industry.

Ajay, co-founder of Bee Precise, a company focused on creating precision beekeeping solutions, said the primary issue the company aims to address is colony collapse, where bees are dying in large numbers. With the help of technology, the company develops hardware devices to help the beekeepers monitor their hives remotely. The idea of the company, he said, was born out of a personal need to improve bee pollination for coffee.

Students of the university put on the hat of entrepreneurs and displayed self-made products from honey, like honey banana spread, gulab jamun, cookies, lip balm, soaps, and candles.

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