World Bee Day is an annual global celebration observed on 20th May. This special day marks the birth anniversary of Anton Janša, a Slovenian pioneer of modern apiculture. It was Anton Janša who was instrumental in transforming beekeeping from a traditional practice into a modern science-based activity.
The theme for World Bee Day 2022 is ‘Bee Engaged: Celebrating the diversity of bees and beekeeping systems.’ Beekeeping is undoubtedly significant, and here’s why: bees are crucial pollinators that ensure food security, promote sustainable agriculture, and maintain biodiversity. Moreover, they contribute to mitigating climate change, conserving the environment, and reducing poverty. Creating rural jobs is another advantage of beekeeping.
Beekeeping and Its Impacts on Farmers’ Income
In light of the Food and Agricultural Organization’s data, India was ranked eighth worldwide in honey production during 2017-18. Beekeeping has the potential to significantly contribute to the Indian government’s target to double farmers’ income by 2022.
Status and Prospects of Apiculture in India
The global apiculture market is projected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2020 to 2025, with the Asia–Pacific region dominating the production. In India, the apiculture market size is anticipated to reach a value of Rs 33,128 million by 2024, revealing an impressive CAGR of nearly 12%. The country stands as the sixth-largest natural honey exporter, with major exports heading to the USA, Saudi Arab, Canada, and Qatar in the fiscal year 2019 – 2020.
Initiatives Promoting Apiculture in India
The Indian government has launched several initiatives to encourage apiculture. These include the ‘Sweet Revolution,’ an ambitious project aimed at promoting beekeeping across the nation. As part of this initiative, the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission was set up in 2020 to establish testing laboratories for honey and other bee products. The government is also providing assistance to beekeepers for setting up processing units and adopting scientific techniques to improve honey’s quality.
Understanding Bees
Bees are fascinating creatures that play vital roles in maintaining ecological balance. They belong to a diverse group with nearly 20,000 known species around the world. Bees live in organized colonies comprising three types of members: the queen bee, worker bees, and drones. India is home to four species of bees: Apis cerana (oriental honey bee), Apis mellifera (European honey bee), Apis dorsata (giant/rock honey bee), and Apis florea (dwarf honey bee).
UPSC Civil Services Examination
In the 2012 UPSC Civil Services Examination, a question concerning pollinating agents was presented. The question asked which among bats, bees, and birds served as pollinating agents. The correct answer encompassed all three, indicating their significant role in transferring pollen, thus enabling fertilization and seed production in plants.
This diverse array of information serves as an indication of the significant role bees play in our ecosystem and the economy. As we celebrate World Bee Day, it’s a timely reminder of how essential these insects are for food security, agricultural practices, economic growth, and environmental sustainability.
