Viral disease: Honey no longer sweet for apiculturists

Thai Sacbrood, a viral disease affecting honey bee colonies, has affected apiculture in Kodagu district. The disease kills bees when they are larvae and hence there is no multiplication of bee colonies.

There is a huge demand for honey from Kodagu. A bottle of honey fetches Rs 500 to Rs 1,500 in the market.

The farmers were earning an average profit of Rs 10,000 per beekeeping box annually. However, the viral disease infestation has led to huge losses for the farmers.

At a time when farmers incurred losses in coffee, paddy and black pepper, they used to fetch money to supplement their income through beekeeping all these years.

Apiculture is taken up on a large scale in the Western Ghats range. Owing to a variety of flowers in the Western Ghats, quality honey is produced.

Apiculture is practised on a large scale in Bettadalli, Garvale, Shanthalli and Toloorushettalli GP limits, while individual houses keep at least two boxes for honey production.

As per the estimate of the horticulture department, about 50% of the honey bee families have been lost in the disease. The loss of honey bee colonies has affected agriculture and horticulture crops as well.

The viral disease had first made its appearance in the district in 1983. Later, with the decline in the disease, apiculture once again gained popularity.

The heavy rain in 2018 had destroyed several bee colonies. With the vagaries of nature, the natural food of honey bees has been affected.

College of Forestry senior professor Kenchareddy said, “It is better to isolate the infected colonies. If control measures are taken up as soon as the viral disease is noticed, then the spread of the disease can be contained.”

Uthaiah, an apiculturist from Inakanahalli, said, “All the beeds in 60 beehives and in pots have been emptied. I have incurred a huge loss.”