The correct answer is: d) All of the above.
Apiculture (beekeeping) is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made hives, by humans. Most such bees are honey bees in the genus Apis, but other honey-producing bees such as Melipona stingless bees are also kept. A beekeeper (or apiarist) keeps bees in order to collect their honey and other products that the hive produces (including beeswax, propolis, pollen, and royal jelly), to pollinate crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers.
Apiculture in Nagaland is a traditional practice that has been passed down for generations. The main products of apiculture in Nagaland are honey, wax, and propolis. Honey is used as a sweetener and as a traditional medicine. Wax is used to make candles, furniture polish, and other products. Propolis is used as a traditional medicine and as a preservative.
Apiculture is an important part of the Nagaland economy. It provides employment for many people and contributes to the state’s food security. Apiculture is also important for the environment, as bees play a vital role in pollination.
Here is a brief description of each option:
- Honey is a sweet, viscous food substance produced by bees and some related insects from the nectar of flowers or from secretions of plants and trees, primarily from honeydew. Bees collect nectar from flowers, regurgitating it into the hive and passing it from bee to bee in a process called trophallaxis. The enzyme invertase, produced by the bees, breaks down the sucrose in the nectar into glucose and fructose. The bees then fan the mixture with their wings to evaporate excess water, leaving behind a thick, sweet syrup. Honey is stored in honeycombs in the hive, where it serves as food for the bees.
- Wax is a natural, yellow or white, solid or semisolid substance produced by bees in the hive. It is used to build the honeycomb, which serves as a food storage and brood chamber. Beeswax is also used to make candles, cosmetics, and other products.
- Propolis is a sticky, resinous substance that bees collect from tree buds, sap flows, and other plant sources. It is used by bees to seal cracks and gaps in the hive, to protect the hive from pests and diseases, and to embalm dead bees. Propolis is also used by humans as a traditional medicine.
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