All India Coordinated Research Project on Honey Bees and Pollinators (AICRP, HBP) is a flagship project of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) started way back in 1981 based on the recommendations of National Commission on Agriculture in 1976. The project coordinating unit was initially located at Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI), Pune with only five coordinating centres. The P C unit later shifted to CCS HAU, Hisar, Haryana in 1987-88. Project Coordinating Unit was shifted from CCS Haryana Agricultural University to ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute in 2013 for better administration and coordination with ICAR headquarters. Presently, the project is functioning with 18 regular centres and 6 voluntary centres located across the country. Since its inception, the project has contributed immensely for the promotion of scientific bee keeping in the country by conducting systematic need based research and training on Honey bees and other pollinators. One of the major contributions of the project was introduction and spread of Apis mellifera to the different parts the country for increased honey and other bee products. Selective breeding for Thai sac brood resistance and development of hive manipulation techniques in Apis cerana is another important achievement of our AICRP project. Besides research activities, thousands of beekeepers have been trained on scientific bee keeping and many of whom have become successful entrepreneurs. Of late, India is exporting 79,929 MT honey of worth 1622 crores; considering our potential and expertise we still need to achieve many more on these fronts.
Food production and natural ecosystems are threatened by global pollinators decline. The decline is aggravated by pesticide use, loss of habitat, rise in pathogens due to commercial beekeeping and climate change. Restoring pollinators decline would require a multidisciplinary approach among the national and international stakeholders. Being an important flagship research project of the council, the project needs to be upgraded with human resources and infrastructure to achieve research, education and extension excellence. The use of advanced molecular biology tools need to be used to map the bee diversity, validate the hygienic behaviour, gut microbiome diversity and to diagnose pests and diseases of honey bees and pollinators. There are efficient insect pollinators like stingless bees, bumble bees, carpenter bees, little bees, Osmia sp and syrphid’s. Exclusive research programs on the conservation and rearing of these pollinators for protected cultivation needs to take up. Work on developing artificial nesting structures for bumble bees, leaf cutter bees, sweat bees, stingless bees to be taken up on priority. To conserve the pollinators, the development of floral calendars, identification guides for pollinator flora, management practices for bee pollinators, and strategies for protection from environmental pollution should be taken up. ‘Bee garden’s’ needs to be established for the conservation of pollinators in all the institutes’ of the NAREES under the aegis of ICAR. The studies on mass queen bee rearing, production and collection of the hive products and management of bee diseases and pests must be initiated. Migratory beekeeping is currently facing a severe challenge from green bee-eater bird; scaring/trapping device need to be prepared in collaboration with various stake holders. The novel training programs should be devised for the scientists, extension workers, beekeepers, and stakeholders. Development of interactive CDs and Android apps for beekeepers across the country in regional languages on apiculture and pollination services should be taken up. The scientists of the project should be sent for international training and exposure visits for upgrading their skills. To ensure the bee husbandry techniques reach to the beekeepers, ‘Farmers Field Schools’ and on farm trials should be carried out.
I extend my sincere thanks to Hon’ble Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR; Dr. T.R. Sharma, DDG (CS), ICAR; Dr. S.C. Dubey, ADG (PP&BS), ICAR for the constant guidance and support. I also appreciate the efforts of the staff of PC unit, ICAR-IARI, Pusa, New Delhi and all the Principal Investigators, Co-Principal Investigators and staff working at various centres across the country for their contribution. I hope this website will cater to the needs of the various stakeholders involved in bee keeping, pollination and allied sectors.