The Integrated Tribal Development Programme being implemented by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) in Pachamalai, about 90 km from here, has been ensuring economic uplift of poor landless labourers.
A number of vocations have been introduced for their benefit as per their needs, interest and taste. Many tribal persons have responded positively. Apiculture is one of the vocations thrown open to them and as many as 30 labourers have been identified for the beekeeping activity.
Three honey collection boxes and a grant of Rs.10,000 have been given to each beneficiary. The boxes were purchased at Madurai and training was imparted to them. The first harvest of honey was realised about a week ago by the landless labourers. There has been a growing demand for quality honey being collected on the Pachamalai,” says S. Murugesan, Programme Manager of The Hand in Hand, a non-governmental organisation, implementing the scheme on the hills.
S. Lingeswararn, Agriculture Officer and P. Pazhanisamy, Assistant Agriculture Officer, said that the tribal beneficiaries would harvest one litre (an average). The maiden harvest needed more time – up to 45 days but it needed just 20 to 25 days for the second and subsequent harvest, said M. Mani, community organiser, referring to the more time needed by bees to identify and settle down at the boxes for depositing the honey. The price per litre stood at Rs.800.
Based on the success of the apiculture, a large number of labourers would be trained in this vocation in course of time. The scheme is being implemented in 30 villages spread over the Salem and Tiruchi revenue districts.
They explained the procedure to be followed for harvesting the honey. “A day-long training was organised in which the beneficiaries were advised to the dos and don’ts of the vocation. Normally, the boxes should be opened for harvest under diffused sunlight.
“Any attempt to open the box during broad daylight will result in the scattering of the honey and harmful effects as the insects will start biting,” they said.
The beneficiaries said they were confident of realising adequate profit through the vocation. They had to keep extra care to protect the boxes from rodent menace. Raju, one of the beneficiary, said the bees collected the honey within a radius of two km from his house.
