5-day advance training course on “mass queen bee rearing and production of hive products” concludes at PAU

Ludhiana, November 26, 2019: A five-day advance training course on “Mass Queen Bee Rearing and Production of Hive Products” concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The programme was held under the auspices of Directorate of Extension Education, PAU. Dr TS Riar, Associate Director, Skill Development, said the course covered various aspects of beekeeping. He also highlighted the importance of beekeeping extension for the development of beekeeping. Dr Pardeep K Chhuneja, Head, Department of Entomology, educated the trainees about scientific management of honey bee colonies, importance of queen bee and need of mass/commercial queen bee rearing, mass queen bee rearing using Karl-Jenter and Cup-kit systems, and identification and management of bee diseases. Dr Jaspal Singh, technical coordinator of the course, dwelt on techniques for selecting honey bee stocks for various aspects meant for bee breeding; modified Doolittle technique of mass queen bee rearing; royal jelly: production, processing, storage and market outlook; and identification and management of bee mites and other bee enemies. Dr Bharti Mohindru, Dr Yuvraj Singh Pandha and Dr Amit Choudhary, entomology experts, delved on selection of honey bee colonies for stock improvement; preparing breeder and cell builder colonies; production, processing and storage of pollen, propolis and bees wax; management of bee enemies and diseases; conventional methods of mass queen bee rearing; preparing breeder and cell builder colonies; honey bees as a valuable input for augmenting crop productivity; etc.