In a research paper titled "Economics of apple pollination by honeybees in Himachal Pradesh", two scientists, AL Nanda and SC Tewari, have observed that "generally crop pollination is done by insects because it has been noticed that the role of wind in the cross-pollination of apple bloom is negligible due to the heavy and sticky nature of apple pollen". Honeybees are recognised as the "most efficient" pollinators among insects because they can be managed in sufficient number.

Himachal's problem is that their (honeybees') numbers are not sufficient. The availability of honeybees is just eight per cent of the total requirement of the state. Keeping in view their significant contribution in apple pollination, the state department of horticulture maintains about 2,000 beecolonies. These are supplied to apple growers on nominal charges against demand.

Besides this, private bee keepers also supply bees for pollination.

According to the estimates of these scientists, there were about 100 private beekeepers in the apple-growing districts of Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, Mandi and Sirmour. Together they have 8,000 to 10,000 bee colonies. Thus in all there are about 10,000 to 12,000 bee colonies available for apple pollination.

The scientists say that these are not sufficient for pollinating the entire crop.

According to their recommendations, at least two bee colonies are required for each hectare of apple orchard. In view of this, the current number of bee colonies meets only eight per cent of total requirements. Quite clearly, the state's large scale expansion of the horticulture industry has "not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in pollination resources and technology through the availability of appropriately managed beehives".

The horticulture experts thusfeel that many orchards do not bear enough fruit "because the population of bees is too small". Orchard owners are, however, becoming increasingly aware of this important activity resulting into more and more demand for bee colonies year after year.

The data collected by the experts on fruit set, fruit drop and fruit yield due to honeybee pollination and open pollination makes for interesting reading and brings about the differences between the two crops and the critical role played by honeybees.

The scientists' data show that the yield per hectare of apple orchard can go up to an estimated at 33,991 kg with honeybee pollination against 17,750 kg in open pollination--an increase of 16,241 kg. The per plant yield increased from 71 kg to 136 kg. This suggests that there can be a near doubling of yield with honeybee pollination. The returns can increase by Rs 81,205 per hectare, or Rs 324 per plant.

The scientists have suggested that orchardists can further enhance their income and boost the state'seconomy by taking up honeybee rearing as an integral component of hill farming. These benefits may accrue in the form of the natural products which honeybees produce--honey, royal jelly, pollen, propolis, beewax and beehenous.

Himachal Pradesh is one of the leading states in the country as far as apple production is concerned. It currently has about 1.20 lakh apple growers, a majority of them being small and marginal ones. They have orchards on 72,406 hectares of land with an annual production potential of four lakh tonnes.

Apple occupies 40 per cent of total area under fruits and accounts for 91 per cent of total production. Apple production has proved relatively profitable and a major source of cash income. However, the productivity of apple in Himachal is just six to eight tonnes per hectare against 25-30 tonnes in Europe and other horticulturally advanced countries -- and this is mainly due to inadequate bee colonies.

The scientists have concluded that appleyields can be considerably increased by pollination by honeybees for which they have suggested government intervention and additional involvement by the private sector.