Kodagu: Apiculture is prominent in Kodagu and many have adopted the practice of beekeeping along with the cultivation of coffee.
Interestingly, 84-year-old farmer Kenchappa from Bettatthur in Madikeri taluk continues his work with beekeeping. The energetic elderly man works in the field and keeps himself busy.
Kenchappa is saddened by the fact that he could collect only a lesser amount of honey now as nectar in flowers got reduced owing to deforestation.
"I started bee-keeping at a very young age. Earlier, I used to remove 400 kilograms of honey. One should be very careful while removing honey. Now adulteration in honey is increasing. But I produce pure honey. Due to increased deforestation and coffee plantation, nectar for the bees is reducing. Honey bee absorbs nectar from about 25 flowers."
One kilogram of pure honey costs Rs 1,000. My friends come here and buy honey from me," said Kenchappa.
His son Vighnesh said that Kenchappa is 84 years old and he has been practising beekeeping since the 1980s. Even now, in this age he works on the farm, he climbs trees and is involved in beekeeping. There are over 25 beehive boxes across two acres of coffee plantation.
Kenchappa earns over Rs 35,000 as profit annually. Vignesh also added that he will continue his father's beekeeping practise.
There are many veterans involved in beekeeping in the district. But the quantity and quality of honey produced are low now.
