TNAU Celebrates World Honey Bee Day

Coimbatore: World Honey bee day was celebrated at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University on 20.05.2022.

In December 2017, the United Nations (UN) approved May 20th as the World Bee Day to mark the birthday of Mr. Anton Jansa, a famous beekeeper born in 1734 in Slovenia in Europe.

Dr.S.V. Krishnamoorthy, Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Entomology TNAU, Coimbatore introduced the reason for celebrating World Honey Bee Day to the audience. The purpose of World Bee Day is to acknowledge the role of bees and other pollinators for the ecosystem. Bee Day celebrations raise awareness about the threats to pollinators by human actions and to protect the bees from such

harmful activities.

The Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Dr.V.Geethalakshmi, inaugurated an exhibition of honey bee species, life stages,

beekeeping equipment and bee products arranged by the final year undergraduate students of TNAU and progressive beekeepers of Tamil Nadu at the TNAU Apiary.

The Vice-Chancellor interacted with the progressive beekeepers, enquired about the beekeeping activities carried out by them and honoured them with a bouquet.

A bee research laboratory which was renovated recently was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor at the Insectary, TNAU.

In her inaugural address to the students, teachers and the beekeepers, the Vice-chancellor stressed upon the need for working briskly like honey bees to achieve the goals.

She also appealed to the students and farmers to create awareness among public to protect the bees from various adverse factors.

Dr. M.Shanthi, Director, Centre For Plant Protection Studies, TNAU presided over the inaugural function and appreciated the students, teachers and beekeepers in arranging an impressive awareness programme to save the bees.

The Dean, Agriculture, Dr. N. Venkatesa Palanichamy, informed that the economics of beekeeping and the commercial aspects have to be given importance and appealed to the students to bestow attention to this field. The Dean Horticulture, Dr. P. Irene Vethamoni in her address, stressed the role of honey bees and other pollinators in the cross pollination of horticultural crops and informed that honey bees are essential

even in self pollinated crops and parthenocarpic varieties.

The progressive beekeepers shared their experience in beekeeping with the audience. Dr. G. Umapathy, Professor of Entomology welcomed the gathering at the beginning and Dr. M.R.Srinivasan, Professor of Entomology who along with other teachers had made the arrangements for the World Honey bee day, finally proposed the Vote of Thanks.