Renting Bees!

 

 Renting Bees! 🐝
This morning, while reading the Times of India, I came across an insightful article about bees—and was pleasantly surprised to learn that today is World Bee Day!

As a passionate photographer with a rich collection of honeybee photos, I felt inspired to share one of my favorite bee captures along with some key takeaways from the article. It shed light on the critical role bees play in our ecosystem—particularly in agriculture and orchards—and introduced me to the growing concept of bee renting.

Bees are nature’s most efficient pollinators. From mustard fields to apple orchards, pomegranates to mangoes, their contribution to crop yield is invaluable. As the legendary Albert Einstein once said, "If the bee disappeared off the face of the Earth, man would only have four years left to live." A strong reminder of how vital they are to our survival.

The article also featured Nitin Kumar Singh, a dedicated apiarist from Uttar Pradesh, who has made significant contributions to pollination farming in India. With over 600 bee boxes—each housing approximately 1.25 lakh bees—he travels across India, from Muzaffarpur’s litchi farms to the apple orchards of Himachal and the Northeast, renting out bees to support farmers and boost yields. A true pioneer of the ‘Rent-a-Bee’ movement in India!

Did you know these bee boxes are transported only during twilight hours—after sunset and before sunrise—to protect the bees? His model not only ensures better harvests but also promotes sustainable agriculture, especially in regions facing pollinator decline.

Sadly, the bee population is under serious threat. Factors like pesticide use, habitat loss, disease, climate change, and pollution are causing steep declines. In Odisha alone, honeybee populations have dropped by 80%, which is deeply alarming and a threat to future food security, as noted by Prof. Geetanjali Mishra, a zoology expert.

Bee farming isn’t just about honey—it's about preserving balance in nature. Apiarists earn not only from honey but also from raw wax, bee rentals, and their invaluable contribution to agricultural productivity.

Let’s recognize and celebrate our buzzing allies—not just today, but every day. Let’s protect them, learn more about their importance, and support sustainable practices.

📷 Text inspired by TOI | Photo: Ashok Karan
🔗 ashokkaran.blogspot.com

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