Meliponiculture” is a relatively lesser known and grossly underexploited branch of beekeeping that involves rearing of stingless honeybees, technically called meliponines. It has not received much attention though it has a unique niche in the beekeeping sector as a producer of elite quality honey with medicinal properties and for crop pollination (transferring pollens to stigmas to form seeds) in situations where the normal honeybees are not so effective. Besides, these harmless bees can be kept as pets at homes, backyards or kitchen gardens in rural as well as urban areas if flowers are available in the vicinity of the premises.
Disclaimer: These are personal views of the writer. They do not necessarily reflect the opinion of www.business-standard.com or the Business Standard newspaper
