Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore, celebrated World Honey Bee Day at the Department of Agricultural Entomology on Wednesday with the participation of beekeepers, farmers, students, and children.
Inaugural Address Highlights Importance of Honey Bees
In his inaugural address, Dr K Subrahmaniyan, acting vice-chancellor and registrar of TNAU, highlighted the importance of honey bees for pollination, including in self-pollinated crops. He encouraged public consumption of honey, noting that per capita consumption in India remained very low. He also emphasised the medicinal importance of bee products, such as bee venom, and stressed the need to actively conserve honey bees.
Keynote Address: Decline in Honey Bee Population
Dr M Shanthi, director (CPPS - Centre for Plant Protection Studies), in her keynote address, stated that nearly 40% of the honey bee population has declined, affecting crop production. She emphasised the need to conserve honey bees by growing flowering plants around farms and homes and by avoiding insecticide application during bee foraging periods. She also stressed the importance of conserving solitary bees living in the soil.
Call to Action for Conservation
The event underscored the critical role of honey bees in agriculture and biodiversity. Participants discussed strategies to mitigate the decline, including creating bee-friendly habitats and reducing pesticide use. The university urged farmers and the public to take proactive steps to protect these essential pollinators.
