Binu P.T. of Alacode in Kannur specialises in rearing ‘vella cheruthen’ bees, a stingless bee. These bees, Binu says, are found in Kannur and Kasaragod districts and their honey tastes different from that of other bees and fetches a better price too.
At a three-day honey festival which began in VJT Hall here on Wednesday, Binu has set up a stall showcasing boxes of these stingless bees. Binu’s father P.T. Thampi has been rearing bees for four decades. It was but natural that Binu, who has an MBA degree, turn to beekeeping and run their farm called Madhusree Honey Farm.
‘Cheruthen’ is of many varieties, says Binu. His stall at the fest aims at making people aware of facts related to ‘cheruthen’ and sale of colonies of such bees. The ‘vella cheruthen’ bee is very small and its honey is as clear as water and tastes different too, he says. It is also used in Ayurveda medication.
Binu says that but for a couple of flowers they are yet to identify what these bees feed on. These bees face a lot of threat, he says.
Binu and another bee farmer at the festival together have only 14 or 15 colonies of these bees between them. Moreover, the number of bees in each colony is not more than 1,500, unlike that of other bees where it may go up to 10,000. A beefarmer may get 350 to 400 g of honey from one colony of stingless bees, while bees that sting may yield 10 to 15 kg a year. However, the honey from stingless bees may fetch up to ₹2,000 a kg. Stingless bees do not require much care either.
Products on display
The festival and a meet of beekeepers are being organised by the Federation of Indigenous Apiculturalists to mark its 10th anniversary. The stalls have various kinds of honey and value-added products that claim to provide health benefits.