Sabour/ Bihar: Bihar Agricultural University (BAU), Sabour, observed World Bee Day on May 20, 2025 with a seminar and awareness programme titled “Bees: A Marvel of Nature”, highlighting the critical role of pollinators in biodiversity and agriculture. The event was organised by the Beekeeping and Honey Production Unit under the Department of Entomology.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr Anil Kumar Singh, Director of Research at BAU, with Dr M.K. Sinha, Principal of Bihar Agricultural College, Sabour, as the guest of honour. Subject experts included Dr S.N. Rai, former principal of the college, and Dr Kiran Kumari, Head of the Department of Entomology.
A total of 105 participants attended the seminar, including scientists, researchers, agriculture officers, and progressive beekeepers from districts such as Vaishali, Jehanabad, Supaul, Khagaria, Katihar, Banka, and Bhagalpur. The event featured technical sessions, knowledge-sharing discussions, and a strong call for strengthening support systems for apiculture.
In a message from the Vice-Chancellor, read during the seminar, he emphasised the ecological importance of bees:
“Bees are the backbone of agricultural biodiversity. Their conservation and promotion must be a priority. The university is committed to continued research and innovation in this domain.”
Dr Anil Kumar Singh praised the growing interest in apiculture among farmers and noted BAU’s ongoing initiatives. He announced the upcoming establishment of a NABL-certified laboratory on campus to certify honey quality—expected to directly benefit local beekeepers by helping them market their products more effectively.
Dr M.K. Sinha underscored the importance of honey classification and branding, urging producers to align product development with market demand. Dr S.N. Rai emphasised scientific bee box management and recommended closer coordination between policymakers, scientists, and beekeepers to establish a unified producers’ cooperative.
In her technical presentation, Dr Kiran Kumari detailed the anatomy of bees, various hive products, and methods of honey extraction, purification, and bottling, while also highlighting honey’s medicinal value.
Dr Ramanuj Vishwakarma, Nodal Officer of the Beekeeping Unit, explained that World Bee Day is celebrated globally under the aegis of the United Nations and India’s National Bee Board, New Delhi. He added that the Department of Entomology at BAU, Sabour, hosts the event annually, reaffirming its commitment to raising awareness about the vital role of bees in agriculture and biodiversity. He also elaborated on the life cycle of bees, hive members, and value-added honey-based products.
Experienced beekeepers including Sanjay Chaudhary (Bhagalpur), Pradeep Bharti (Supaul), and Pappu Kumar Ranjan (Vaishali) spoke about the critical role of bees in crop pollination and biodiversity. They shared personal insights into the challenges of apiculture and urged government support for practical solutions.
An open forum between beekeepers and scientists allowed for candid discussion of practical problems. Participants including Ram Swaroop Prasad Singh, Deeplekha Ghosh, Sonu Kumar Jha, Abhilash Kumar, and Rajesh Kumar Rai voiced their concerns, contributing to a collaborative exchange of ideas and experiences.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr Sanjay Kumar Sharma from the Department of Entomology. Key organisers and contributors included Dr Tarak Nath Goswami, Dr R.D. Ranjan, Dr Shyam Babu Sah, Dr Bhupal Namdev Hathjhadhe, Dr K. Sankar Rao, Dr Anukiran Sahu, Ashok Kumar, and students and staff from the Department of Entomology.
