Dry spell, blazing sun yield more honey for apiculturists
A prolonged norain spell has helped most apiculturists in the State make more honey than in recent years, with them claiming that honey yield per colony has gone up about 20% compared to last year. But some farmers are feeling the pinch of the dry spell and believe a few showers are handy to help flowers bloom and prolong the honey harvest period.
Father George Varghese Parathuvayalil near Perumbavoor said the honey yield this year was expected to go up to 15 kg a colony compared to the 13.5 kg last year, thanks to the dry spell, which had helped bees collect more raw materials for the colonies. He is accompanied by a group of around 300 honeykeepers, who own around 600 colonies, mostly in panchayats along Periyar.
He said the bees were now collecting multiflower materials, considering that it marked the end of the rubber flowering season. Most bee colonies had been placed along the forest border, which facilitated better honey production, he added.
Jonhy T. J., a farmer near Thattekad said that too much heat had adverse effect on honey bees. The ideal temperature is 35 degrees beyond which the honey bees suffer the impact of overheating.
Honey collection during the current season had been higher, said M.S. Salim from Alattuchira, near Perumbavoor. He said that he kept around 150 colonies in the area, while he had more colonies at Rajakkad in Idukki. While the production is good, a spell of rain can help prolong the honey collection period with fresh flowers springing up in the forests neighbouring the colonies, he added. Mr. Johnny said while the long dry spell might put bees under stress, the use of pesticides could kill bee colonies.
Father Varghese said the honey production from stingless bee colonies too had been good.
The Keezhillam group of beekeepers launched their venture in 2022 and established colonies in Poothrikka, Thiruvaniyoor, Mulamthuruthy, Chottanikkara, and Aikaranad. He said beekeepers expressed satisfaction with the yields this season, at a recent honey harvest festival organised by the group.