Journal of Innovative Agriculture, Volume 12, Issue 3 : 1-13 . Doi : 10.37446/jinagri/ra/12.3.2025.1-13
Review Article
OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 30-Sep-2025

Multifactorial constraints on honey production and innovative management in Indian apiculture


  • M. Mallikarjuna Rao
  • Associate Professor, Department of Humanities & Sciences, PACE Institute of Technology & Sciences, Andhra Pradesh – 523272, India.

  • Archunan Vinithra
  • Assistant Professor (Agricultural Entomology), Department of Entomology, Dhanalakshmi Srinivasan Agriculture College, Perambalur – 621 212, India.

  • Dharmalingam Kamaraj
  • Department of Entomology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Baburayanpettai – 603 201, India.

  • Anbalagan Selva Amala
  • Department of Plant Pathology, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore – 641 003, India.

  • Govindaraj Kamalam Dinesh
  • Department of Biochemistry,Physiology, Microbiology and Environmental Science, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, Imphal, Manipur – 795004, India. ; INTI International University, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai, 71800 Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

  • Punabati Heisnam
  • Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, Imphal, Manipur – 795004, India

  • Gopiraj Aruna
  • Department of Plant Pathology, SRM College of Agricultural Sciences, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Baburayanpettai – 603 201, India

  • Bhargab Kalita
  • Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Iroisemba, Central Agricultural University, Imphal, Manipur - 795 004, India.

  • Osi Siram
  • Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, Central Agricultural University, Iroisemba, Imphal, Manipur – 795004, India

  • Archana Anokhe
  • ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research Institute, Jabalpur – 482004, India.

  • Brahmam Pasumarthi
  • Associate Professor, Department of Humanities & Sciences, PACE Institute of Technology & Sciences, Andhra Pradesh – 523272, India.

Abstract

Honey bees (Apis sp.), popularly known as "golden insects", are economically important insects that fabricate honey. In addition to honey, they produce several high-value byproducts such as beeswax, royal jelly, bee venom, propolis, brood (larvae), and queen bees, all of which constitute marketable commodities within the apicultural sector. Honey is extensively used in the cosmeceutical and pharmaceutical industries. Along with this, the pollination carried out by the honey bees remains an essential condition to maintain agricultural productivity and biodiversity. Beekeeping in India is strongly supported by the secondary agricultural sector, which is deeply involved in the farmers' economics. The process of honey production is complex and multifactorial in nature, and several determinants limit it. The determinants encompass a range of factors that include biotic stresses such as bacterial, viral, amoebic, and acarine diseases; abiotic stresses, such as temperature fluctuation and moisture imbalance; and anthropogenic factors like pesticide and fungicide contamination. This review of the study focused on the constraints associated with beekeeping, honey production, and the quality of honey in managed apiculture site colonies. Furthermore, it discussed current strategies aimed at integrating medicinal properties into honey production through advanced management practices.

Keywords

bee products, beekeeping, apiculture, medicinal floral resources, toxic chemicals, pesticides

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