KVIC starts beekeeping training in Rashtrapati Bhawan

Khadi Village and Industries Commission (KVIC) today launched an apiculture training course for the gardeners of Rashtrapati Bhawan, whereby 500 bee boxes will be installed in different phases within its premises.
The beekeeping training will enable the gardeners to extract honey at the Rashtrapati Bhawan which houses a large number of mango, blackberry, neem and drumstick trees.
"Besides producing more than 12,500 kgs of high quality honey and 300 kgs of good-quality wax every year, apiary will also boost the flora and fauna in and around the President's Estate and increase the crop yield there by at least 25 per cent," KVIC Chairman V K Saxena said.

Going forward, KVIC, with the support of the New Delhi Municipal Corporation, plans to place 5,000 bee boxes in the national capital.
These include different gardens of Delhi, including Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden and Nehru Park, apart from the various reserved forest areas in Delhi.
"The gardeners will also get practical training of examination of honeybee colonies, acquaintance with apicultural equipment, identification and management of bee enemies and diseases, honey extraction and wax purification, and management of bee colonies in spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter seasons," Saxena said.
Honey helps boost immunity and purifies blood. Studies suggest that its medicinal value protects the body from major health problems like heart ailments and cancer.