Abstract
At present, climate change is an actual global threat affecting the bio-network and agricultural production adversely. Apiculture sector is part of agriculture which helps in maintaining ecological balance through pollination services rendered by the honey bees. In West Bengal, the state ranking second in honey production nationally, beekeepers from different districts, perusing modernized apiculture, migrate seasonally every year for collecting honey. This study evaluates the effect of changing climate on honey production in West Bengal by comparing the production details of varieties of associated crops during the years from 2010 to 2018. The paper wishes to confirm how sustainable this apiculture industry will be in the wake of climate change. A primary survey was also conducted on the beekeepers of West Bengal (n = 339) passing through the five “honey-flow” districts (South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Maldah, North Dinajpur, and South Dinajpur) to know their perception about climate change and its resultant impact on honey production. Simple statistical tools have been applied here for data analysis. To find out the changes in climatic condition, time-series analysis has been done over the years (1999–2020) based on linear trend model. To assess the perception of the beekeepers, Likert 5-point scale is applied and along with a SWOT analysis. Compound annual growth rate analysis used to find out the change of production of honey and associated crops establishes that apiculture fared as a more stable sector than other agriculture and horticulture alternatives during the selected timeframe. The study also revealed that flexible approach of the modern beekeeping in West Bengal involving variety of forage ensures the livelihood sustainability.
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Basu, A., Purkait, S. (2023). Evaluating Apiculture as a Sustainable Livelihood Option in the Wake of Climate Change: West Bengal, India. In: Alam, A., Rukhsana (eds) Climate Change, Agriculture and Society. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-28251-5_3
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