Currently, Bashkiria is recognized as the leader of Russia in the production of honey. Regardless of the economic situation, the number of apiaries in the republic is constantly growing. The beekeeping experience accumulated over centuries, transmitted from generation to generation, allows this industry to flourish.
How is beekeeping developing in Bashkiria?
Beekeeping in Bashkiria is recognized as one of the most successful and dynamically developing agricultural industries. In local apiaries, experts determine an amazing number of bee families - over 250 thousand. Initially, by analogy with other Russian regions, in the republic the greatest attention was paid to the onboard honey trade, but soon the deck and frame methods also received active development. The experience of Bashkir beekeepers is undeniable and extremely large, in addition, it is increasing every year.
As a rule, the apiaries of the republic are the property of individual entrepreneurs, but there are also significant quantities of both state and scientific beekeeping farms. For example, a research center for beekeeping and apitherapy, founded in 1998, is actively operating in Bashkiria. The company even has the right to use its own brand - “Bashkir honey”.
In addition to research, the center also produces cosmetic and therapeutic products, for example:
- bath foams;
- shower gels;
- detergents;
- medicines based on beekeeping products;
- cream for face, body, etc.
In addition to the products listed, the center provides more familiar items, such as honey in many variations or royal jelly. But the main goal of the research center is to promote the development of bees: breeding, maintaining the habitat, studying the living conditions and development of animals.
Bashkir apiaries
The production of apiaries in the Republic of Bashkortostan from honey to medicines based on it is recognized as the highest quality both in the opinion of specialists analyzing and comparing components, and the population of the Russian Federation as a whole.
There are a number of factors that determine the perfect quality of honey from Bashkiria, along with the enormous experience of beekeepers:
- an impressive number of diverse honey plants;
- working bees;
- providing the republic with an educational base at a high level: any resident of Bashkiria can receive a beekeeping education up to the appropriate specialization in a higher educational institution;
- the mass of enterprises in the Republic of Bashkortostan engaged in the production of beekeeping equipment at affordable prices and of good quality, with further distribution among beekeepers;
- confident and favorable legislation conducive to the development of the industry (the Law "On Beekeeping", consisting of 5 chapters and 26 articles, carefully protecting the interests of beekeepers).
But despite the achievements of man, nevertheless, the main advantage is given to the natural component, namely the presence of rich vegetation (in particular, linden forests), which was the first step to the development of airline flight in the republic. Sunflower and buckwheat grow in abundance in the fields, and the endless steppes are full of flowers such as:
- clover;
- clover;
- rape;
- mustard;
- alfalfa;
- diverse legumes.
Bortnichestvo
Beekeeping began the development of beekeeping not only in Bashkortostan, but also throughout the world. The method consists in the fact that the bees are contained in the hollows of the trees, and the honey produced by the bees is eventually removed by the beekeepers. In the republic to this day, despite the progress and achievements in the beekeeping industry, a region has survived where honey is obtained in this ancient way. The word "flight" comes from the word "side" - a beehive in the form of a hollowed out block or hollow.
The Shulgan-Tash nature reserve, created at the time with the aim of preserving and demonstrating to people this oldest form of honey craft, enjoys considerable fame.
The optimal combination of linden forests and tall pine is the perfect place for the development of the bead honey industry. The Burzyansky district is the best representative of the regions where the flight is still flourishing, and the local honey collects praises not only within the Russian Federation, but even beyond its borders.
It is customary to pass on the traditions of flight-care from generation to generation. This is due to the fact that one side can function for 150 years.
The main honey plants of Bashkiria
Bashkiria is the birthplace of many honey plants, the flowering periods of which fall at different times of the year: spring, summer and early fall. Consider the most valuable and common among them.
Spring honey plants
About 40 species of spring honey plants grow on the territory of the Republic of Bashkortostan:
- willow - goat, blackening, white, ashy, etc .;
- honeysuckle - fluffy and Tatar;
- currant - red and black;
- as well as other plants, such as Norway maple, blood-red hawthorn, common bird cherry, common mountain ash, etc.
Summer honey plants
Bashkiria is rich in summer melliferous plants - in the summer over a hundred species of plants from grassy to trees bloom in the republic:
- clover - white, pink and creeping;
- Siberian hogweed;
- small-leaved linden;
- mouse peas.
And many other plants. Summer honey carriers are the basis for the future production of honey on an industrial scale, and it is linden growing in large quantities in Bashkiria that is considered the main beekeepers.
Autumn honey beetles
The republic has about 30 species of late summer and autumn honey plants:
- common bruise;
- blooming Sally;
- white clover;
- sage whorled;
- yellow alfalfa;
- common chicory, etc.
Bashkiria provides three of the four seasons with flowering plants, which allows local bees to give honey almost year-round.
Problems of local beekeeping
However, despite the fact that Bashkiria is a titan of beekeeping in the Russian Federation, it is also not without problems and difficulties. These problems are especially noticeable for beginner beekeepers:
- Monopolization. The decent part of the market, as well as the positive attention from the authorities of the republic, is occupied by the Bashkir research center for beekeeping and apitherapy mentioned above. This is fraught with the fact that legislation is primarily on the side of the center, and not individual entrepreneurs. In addition, novice beekeepers, it is often too difficult to compete with such a giant.
- Technological backwardness. Despite the fact that beekeeping is very well developed in Bashkiria, it still takes a lot of time before the latest technologies reach the republic.
- Deforestation. This problem is relevant for many industries, especially agricultural, but for honey production it plays a special role. The difficulty is obvious: the fewer melliferous trees, the less honey will be produced in the end.
- Vegetation treatment insecticidal agents. It leads to the mass death of bees. In addition, traces of these chemicals are later found in honey.
- Short list of breeding apiariesengaged in breeding the Bashkir population of honey bees.
- High prices on tribal material.
- Lack of control delivery of bee colonies and queens to the Republic of Bashkortostan from other regions and from abroad. It leads to the crossing of species, and, as a result, a loss of qualities of the Bashkir breeds of honey bees is formed.
Value and features of Bashkir honey
Diastase number is a parameter that determines the value of honey. It is the ratio of the number of enzymes to unit volume. In other words, the higher the content of enzymes in honey, the more valuable it is. On average, in honey produced in Russia, this figure is 4-10. Altai, a relatively popular and popular honey, has an indicator of 16-20. But the diastatic number of Bashkir honey is 20-50, which makes it a leader in terms of utility.
The Republic of Bashkortostan produces a lot of honey varieties, and each is valuable in its own way. However, any of them contains a lot of useful substances:
- amino acids, enzymes and proteins;
- vitamins A, B, E, K and PP;
- potassium, iron, sulfur, sodium, phosphorus, calcium;
- choline, tannins and essential oils;
- folic acid.
The most useful products of Bashkir beekeeping are the following types of honey:
- Lime. Linden Bashkir honey contains a huge amount of vitamins and minerals, and is a leader in their concentration in a unit volume of honey.
- Floral. Quite a bit inferior to linden honey in the quantitative content of enzymes: the flower contains less. However, the chemical composition of flower honey is more diverse than linden.
- Buckwheat. Known for high iron and protein. It is appreciated for the ability to raise hemoglobin, as well as for a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
- Mountain. An indispensable assistant for angina, laryngitis, acute respiratory infections. It also has a very beneficial effect on the nervous and vascular system.
Regardless of the variety, the quality and benefits of Bashkir honey are universally recognized. They are so sure of it that honey from the republic is included in the diet of Russian cosmonauts: it is included in the daily diet of employees of orbital stations.
Useful tips for beginner Bashkir beekeepers
Before you start beekeeping, you should pay attention to two factors that are of great importance to a beginner in this industry:
- Multihull hives are the most effective in use in Bashkiria. Their design allows you to keep a large number of bees in a small area, which is important for beginning beekeepers who do not have large finances in the initial stages.
- A large number of bee families is not a guarantee of a large amount of honey, and often, it is even harmful: in case of an error, it will be difficult to start again, and it is completely impossible to return the money already spent. Therefore, it is better to start with a small but stable and streamlined production with a gradual expansion.
You should also be prepared in advance for natural risks and have a plan of action in the event of any of the situations:
- Infections and parasites. In the absence of response, bee colonies will begin to rapidly decline, until the complete destruction of the population.
- Subcooling nests. It is fraught with a reduction in the birth rate of bees, as the larvae can simply freeze.
- Starvation. It occurs due to a lack of honey or bee bread, which leads to weakening or even death of bee families.
- Toxins They cause diseases of bee colonies up to mass death.
It is recommended to start with the gray Caucasian bee and the Carpathian, if we are talking about the southern regions. These bee breeds are relatively unpretentious and give a good honey crop.
It is also not worth it from the very beginning to make large investments in inventory and equipment. Initially, rarely does any beekeeper have a huge apiary, vitally needing tools, mechanisms and hired workers. Most of the work can be done with relative ease by hand without any additional financial costs.
When choosing a location for an apiary, it is better to give preference to places abundantly planted with flowering plants. Having a field or orchard nearby is an undeniable natural advantage.
Pros and cons of beekeeping in Bashkiria
Benefits beekeeping in the republic:
- It is not necessary to make significant investments to start. In fact, you can start with 10 hives at no additional cost.
- Beekeeping is not an industry where continuing education is constantly needed. One mastered and verified method will be enough to get the optimal amount of honey at minimal cost.
- High profitability, about 40%. This is due to the fact that there is always a demand for Bashkir honey.
- On a small scale, beekeeping can be done by one person, thereby saving on staff wages, and all profits can be distributed at one’s own discretion.
- For the realization of the products received, it is not necessary to conclude contracts, everything can be sold in markets and fairs with a certificate of product quality.
- The process of pumping honey is not so complicated, the main thing is to learn the right technique from the very beginning.
disadvantages beekeeping in Bashkiria:
- Great competition in the market. It’s especially hard to compete with such a giant as Bashkir honey. However, good product quality and advertising are quite capable of ensuring a stable flow of customers.
- Risks In the event of problems of a natural nature (cold winter, diseases of bees, and so on), additional funds will be required, because you have to, in fact, start all over again.
In addition, we recommend reading the instruction manual for beginner beekeepers.
Honey is what Bashkortostan can rightfully be proud of. Despite the difficulties, any hardworking resident of the republic will be able to make beekeeping his profitable business. It is enough to study all the available information and make a little effort.