Daijiworld Media Network - Madikeri (MS)

Madikeri, Dec 15: Honey Bee farming has found prominence in some areas of the district of Kodagu as the nectar of flower is available abundantly here. So many inhabitants of the district indulge in honey agriculture as a side business along with managing coffee estates. However, at the age of 80, Kenchappa, a resident of Bettathur in the taluk is earning handsome income through honey bee agriculture.

Kenchappa does honey bee farming right from his childhood. He used to get 400 kg of honey per year earlier. However, now due to deforestation to grow the coffee crop, the honey bees are not getting nectar from the flowers.

Kenchappa says, "Now everything is adulterated. Pure honey costs Rs 1,000 per kg. Now adulterated honey is sold everywhere. My old friends take pure honey from me whenever they come to visit me."

Vignesh, Kenchappa's son says, "My father is 84-years-old. He is doing honey bee farming since the 80s. Now he has kept 25 honey boxes in the coffee estate on two acres of land. He maintains coffee estates and also does honey bee farming. He gets a profit of Rs 35,000 per year. We will continue what he is doing."

"There are more experienced people than me in honey bee farming in the district. However, now the yield, as well as the quality of honey, has gone down. Pure honey that is drawn from the nectar of at least 25 flowers is very good for health. However, people are selling adulterated honey for the sake of profit," says Kenchappa.