Apiculture.

Apiculture is the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans. A beekeeper (or apiarist) keeps bees in order to collect their honey and other products that the hive produces (including beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly), to pollinate crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers. A location where bees are kept is called an apiaryor "bee yard".Honey Farming is becoming popular due to its demand in national and international markets as well.

Farmers can make profit in this market and increase the productivity of their agricultural lands through pollination. Honeybees produces honey ,bee wax and royal jelly thus giving additional benefits to farmers. Farmers planning for commercial honey bee farming should consider taking apiculture training.Honeybees can be utilized for pollination services or to obtain the products from them.the methods used depends on the type of bees available, and the skills and resources available to the bee keepers.

The ministry of agriculture gov of India launced a central sector scheme titled “Development of Beekeeping for improving crop Productivity during the VIII plan (1994-95). The scheme had various components covering R&D,production and distribution of honey bees colonies,organizing trainings and awareness programmes and support for setting up honey processing plant. Training ,seminars and field visits are conducted by National bee board for farmers.Beekeepers registered with National bee board are given prefence in assistance.

Portfolio of Apiculture