Uttarkashi, 16 April (HS). Due to the absence of bees for pollination in the gardens of Vibrant Village Harshil area, a line of worry is visible on the foreheads of the gardeners.
Bees play a major role in pollination during flowering. Experts have advised gardeners to install bee boxes in their gardens for good apple yield. These days the process of flowering has started in the apple orchards. Bees are essential for transferring pollen from male flowers to female flowers.
Here, Bhatwadi Block Chief Mrs. Vinita Rawat has written a letter to State Agriculture and Horticulture Minister Ganesh Joshi demanding to provide bee boxes for pollination in eight villages of Vibrant Village Harshil area. It was said in the letter that if bee boxes are not available in time, then apple farmers will suffer about 80 percent loss.
It is noteworthy that in cold weather other friendly insects are not able to help in pollination. During this period, gardeners can increase the crop by installing silent bee houses in the gardens. By planting bees in orchards, the apple crop can be increased by 20 to 30 percent. According to experts, bees play an important role in fruit setting in gardens. To get good and quality crops, gardeners should install bee boxes in their gardens.
What does the District Horticulture Officer say?
These days the Model Code of Conduct is in force and the entire government staff is engaged in the Lok Sabha elections. Bee boxes have not been installed anywhere yet. The government is in talks with beekeepers. It is expected that this will accelerate after the Lok Sabha elections are over.
-DK Tiwari, District Horticulture Officer, Uttarkashi.