RDA inaugurated queen bee breeding center
Bogura Correspondent :
A new horizon has begun in the village peoples economice development and beekeeping sector at the Rural Development Academy (RDA), Bogura. The “Climate Tolerant Queen Bee Breeding Center” was inaugurated on Tuesday.
The chief guest at the inaugural ceremony was Dr. A. B. M. Mahbub Alam, Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Rural Development Academy. Also present were RDA Additional Director General Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun and members of various faculties of the academy.
RDA Additional Director General Dr. Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director Dr. Monirul Islam, Assistant Director Antara Khatun and beekeeping expert Md. Abdul Alim Bhuiyan are involved in this research project as researchers.
According to the researchers, if this breeding center is operated successfully, it will be established as a model and reference center in the beekeeping sector of Bangladesh.
Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Rural Development Academy, Dr. A B M Mahbub Alam said that the establishment of this breeding center is being considered an important milestone in developing beekeeping, increasing honey production, and combating the adverse effects of climate change.
He also said, “Beekeeping is a promising sector in Bangladesh. If the development and breeding of queen bees can be ensured in a planned manner, it will not only be possible to produce honey, but also to develop beekeeping as a sustainable and versatile livelihood, which will play an important role in rural employment and poverty alleviation.
The productivity of bee colonies is decreasing due to the lack of quality queen bees in the country. Due to inbreeding and climate change, the egg production capacity and disease resistance of queen bees are significantly decreasing, which is a concern for the overall beekeeping sector.
This newly established breeding center will produce improved and climate-tolerant queen and drone bees through research-based cross-breeding methods.
Deputy Director Dr. Monirul Islam said that this will significantly increase honey production in beekeeping and expand the scope for producing high-value bee-based products such as pollen, propolis, royal jelly, wax and bee venom (bee venom).
According to experts, Beekeeping is not limited to honey production alone. Pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom are widely used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and the demand for these products is very high in the international market.