Punjab University has established a European bee "Apis mellifera" farm comprising 200 hives at its New Campus which help provide quality and tasteful honey to the people easily. Research is being carried out for improvement in management techniques, quality queen breeding and control of pests and disease to increase honey yield of colonies.
Punjab University Honeybee Research Project Chairman Dr Muhammad Akhtar said that to feed the honeybees continuously, many floral and other trees are being planted in the campus. He said that Beekeeping training programmes and workshops for honeybee management at national and provincial level have been organised for dissemination of technical know-how among students, farmers, extension workers, officers of alien departments and hobbyists.
He also said special emphasis is being given on generating awareness about the crucial factor of bee pollination required for increased productivity and PU efforts have brought maximum results. He said honey is a natural product of honeybee keeping. He said honeybee offers honey, royal jelly, wax, pollen, proplis and bee venom that have innumerable commercial uses.