IARI SCIENTISTS VISIT PAU

Ludhiana, September 17, 2018: A team of five scientists from Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi, visited National Bee Board sponsored Integrated Beekeeping Training Centre/Centre of Excellence (IBDC/CoE), Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The team, led by Dr J.P. Singh, Principal Scientist, comprised Dr Sachin S. Suroshe, Principal Scientist; and Dr Naresh M. Meshram, Dr Shashank P.R. and Dr (Ms) Bhagyashree S.N., scientists. The objective of the visit was to get acquainted with the apicultural technologies developed and the facilities created under the IBDC/CoE by PAU so as to enable the visiting scientists to develop their expertise in apiculture and strengthen the similar project sanctioned at IARI. The visiting scientists interacted with Dr Navtej Singh Bains, Director of Research and proposed to arrange for specialized apiculture training, especially, on queen bee rearing technologies for IARI scientists, besides some lectures in apiculture for their postgraduate students. The team also interacted with Dr PPS Pannu, Additional Director Research (Natural Resource and Plant Health Management). During the visit, Dr Pardeep K. Chhuneja, Prof and Head, Department of Entomology, PAU and Principal Investigator of the IBDC/CoE, highlighted the role of PAU in the introduction and establishment of Apis mellifera, and development of various apicultural technologies which provided impetus in the advancement of beekeeping in India. Information was also provided on various aspects of beekeeping like methods of queen bee rearing, managed bee pollination, production of quality hive products, their processing and marketing, etc. Dr Jaspal Singh, Senior Entomologist, provided hands-on-training to the visiting members on various aspects of mass queen bee rearing.