Beekeeping in Pakistan: History, Potential, and Current Status
Beekeeping in Pakistan: History, Potential, and Current Status
Khalid Ali Khan1,2,3* and Hamed A. Ghramh1,2,4
ABSTRACT
Pakistan is an important country located in South Asia and ranks as the world’s sixth most populous country. It has diverse landscapes with its own specific vegetation. The country-specific vegetative diversity has a great ecological and economic impact on the conservation of local fauna. It has huge potential for the sustainable beekeeping industry if properly exploited. Beekeeping in Pakistan is mainly focused in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, central and northern regions of Punjab provinces but nowadays it is growing rapidly across the country. Three native species of honey bees including Apis dorsata, A. florea, and A. cerana whereas one exotic species A. mellifera are present in Pakistan. Honey produced in Pakistan enjoys good repute in the Middle East due to its unique taste and quality. Pakistan exports around 4,000 tons of honey with a worth of about $ 23.00 million to Arab countries every year. It is believed that the Pakistani beekeeping industry is entering an era full of opportunities.
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