Honey collectors must improve their economic condition through collecting better quality honey, said Madikeri sub-division Deputy Conservator of Forest B B Mallesh.

Speaking after distributing modern equipment for honey collection to 30 tribals at the valedictory function of the training camp on honey collection organised under the joint aegis of Khadi and Gramodyoga Board and Basavanahalli Tribal Lamps Co-operative Society at Balegundi in Nanjarayapattana Gram Panchayat limits, he said tribals must collect better quality honey through using modern equipment. Much care must be taken not to affect the honey bee family and other wild animals while collecting honey from the honey combs in the forest.
 Better quality and healthy honey is a nutritious component of food for human beings, he added.

Kodagu Tribal Farmers’ Association and Basavanahalli Tribal Lamps Co-operative Society President J P Raju said along with honey collection, tribals must follow and preserve other professions.

Central Khadi and Gramodyoga Board bee-keeping employment special officer N M Biradar said there are over 50 lakh bee-keeping families who can produce 6,00,000 metric tonnes of honey. The natural and pure honey collected from the forests has high demand in the market. Tribals must make use of this opportunity, he suggested. Trafide Regional Officer M Balasubrahmanya, Khadi, Gramodyoga Board officer M T Harishchandra and Kushalnagar forest officer M B Chinnappa spoke on the occasion.

Dubare Tribal’s Haadi leader J K Dobi, Lamps Co-operative SOciety director B A Gangadhar, Saraswati, secretary B Lokesh, trainers Narasimhaiah and Subrayappa were present on the occasion.