Apiarists incur losses from massive bee deaths

Statesman News Service
MALDA, 30 OCT.: Apiarists in Malda could be staring at a major loss this year following the death of thousands of bees in the past few months, which marked the off season for bee keeping.
To make matters worse, the apiarists lack the knowledge of rearing bees in the off season, and so have not succeeded in increasing the bee population. This is reared to affect production of honey in the winter season and inflict a financial loss they can ill afford.
Speaking on the issue, an apiarist Mr. Dinesh Mandal of Chhoto Kadirpur in Old Malda, said: “I am yet to understand how such a large number of bees died in the past few months. We had 100 boxes for keeping bees but at present only 40 of those houses some bees, the rest, including the pawns have abruptly perished”.
The area has a cluster of apiarists. Its leader Mr. Sarbananda Pandey, said: “Apiarists face serious problems here during the off season as they cannot provide enough food for the bees”.
The information has turned the district industries center officials anxious.
The DIC, Malda, general manager Mr Dilip Dhali was shocked to hear the death of such large number of bees.
“We had organised a training programme for 200 stake holders from 19 honey processing clusters in Malda recently to aware them of methods to save bees during the off season . No one informed as about the bee deaths. We would have to inquire the matter”, he said.
According to him, apiarists need to supply sugar to the bees in the off season as alternative food for them to survive.
“Bees may die if the beekeepers can not provide adequate foods to them, as natural flowers, which are the source of food to the bees are not adequately available in the off-season.
“Moreover the bees need a conducive surrounding and the boxes should be kept as close to orchards as possible”, he added.
According to the officials, the DIC has allotted Rs. 19.40 lakh to the stake holders to buy sugar for the bees.
“The problem is likely to end soon as the mustard fields are about to come in bloom and that should provide enough food for the bees”, he informed.