Industrial apiary: professional beekeeping technologies and features in Russia

The creation of an industrial apiary is considered a profitable activity. This term refers to a beekeeping farm for 500 or more families. The industrial economy is aimed at obtaining maximum profit from the sale of honey and other bee products. At the same time, great importance is given to process automation and minimization of human participation. Thanks to this, one worker is able to serve more than 1000 hives.

Differences between industrial beekeeping and amateur beekeeping

In order for professional bee breeding to be successful, it is important to comply with a number of conditions. At the same time, the industrial apiary is characterized by such differences from the amateur one:

• Approach to the organization of the economy. In a home apiary with up to 10 hives, special attention is paid to each bee colony and all hives. For beekeepers, the process itself is more important. In an industrial apiary, special attention is paid to increasing profitability without compromising the quality of honey. Therefore, the main task of production is to increase the volume.
• Number of hives. An amateur apiary includes up to 10 bee colonies. At industrial enterprises, their number reaches 500.
• Automation and the use of human labor. Process automation is the main difference. Industrial apiaries transfer the maximum of processes to technical equipment. This helps to increase production volumes and save human resources. At the same time, human manual labor is mainly used in domestic apiaries. Beekeepers use small honey extractors and get a minimum of honey.
• Optimization of work processes. Amateur apiaries, as a rule, are served by a family of 1-2 people. Industrial farms provide care for 1000 bee colonies. Moreover, this requires one qualified employee.
• Uniform standards. Industrial apiaries produce honey and other types of bee products according to fixed state or international standards. It helps to get a safer product.

Goals and objectives

Each production is distinguished by its goals and objectives. Professional beekeeping is no exception. The main task of each beekeeper is the receipt and subsequent sale of honey and related products.

To conduct a full-fledged activity, it is worth equipping an apiary in accordance with all the rules and buying bees. This will make it possible to produce a lot of products and sell them.

The main tasks in this case include the following:

• technical equipment of the apiary;
• selection of insect breed;
• providing suitable conditions for bee colonies;
• search for channels to sell finished products.

Pros and cons

The advantages of the industrial apiary include the following:

• Possibility to save money. Much less money is spent on the equipment that is required for the normal functioning of one bee colony.
• Increase in income. Due to the scale, it is possible to increase profitability.
• Good payback. Industrial apiary is considered one of the most profitable types of farms. The payback of an apiary for 500 families takes 2 years.

The creation of an industrial apiary has a number of disadvantages:

• The need for the ability to properly work with bees. Insect bites are very painful and dangerous.
• Need for organizational skills.
• The need for proper care of bees.
• High competition. To make the apiary profitable, you need to take into account many nuances.

Is it profitable to keep bees?

Many beginner beekeepers are wondering if beekeeping is profitable. Practice shows that this business is considered profitable. However, this requires a minimum of 100 families and adherence to technology.

It's important to keep in mind that there are many risks that reduce insect care efforts to zero.

The profitability of a business depends directly on the beekeeper. It is recommended to find distribution channels and supply high quality products. Otherwise, honey will not be in demand. In such a situation, the farm will not bring profit.

Potential risks

When conducting any kind of activity, there are many threats that are beyond the control of beekeepers. The main risks include the following:

• natural disasters;
• theft;
• fires;
• leaving the hives by bees.

Terms of organization

To open an industrial apiary, it is important to take into account many nuances. This business is considered seasonal. The maximum honey collection falls on the period from April to August.

Many works are automated, but it is worth hiring employees for ancillary activities. If the processes in the apiary are mechanical in nature, a minimum of people will be needed to manage the farm.

For the normal operation of the industrial apiary, it is important to do the following:

• Install equipment for pumping honey and processing secondary raw materials - in particular, honey.
• Choose a suitable breed of bees. This is required by region.
• Timely change the queen bee.
• Find reliable suppliers who will provide materials and feed for work.
• Give bees quality care.

For a business to be legal, you must register as a sole trader or limited liability company.

The choice of hives is of great importance when organizing such a farm. Suitable options include:

• multi-hull design with nest frames 435x200 millimeters and extensions;
• single-hull structure with nest frame 435x300 mm and 2 extensions 435x145 mm.

It is important that the design meets the following conditions:

• interchangeability of frames and other elements;
• simplicity, convenience and lightness;
• eliminate bee diseases;
• quick preparation for transporting beehives.

Business profitability

Specialists note that the profitability parameters average 20-25%. Equipment costs usually pay off within a season. Sometimes you even manage to make a small profit.

Each beekeeper deals with the sale of the product independently. Some sell honey to friends, others - at fairs. However, the most profitable option involves organizing close cooperation with various honey sellers.

It is important to consider that bee products have a long shelf life. Therefore, there are no losses from non-operational sales.

Features in Russia

In Russia there is a federal law on beekeeping. There are also regional laws that regulate the work of beekeepers and the bee business in different regions of the Russian Federation. The Federal Law regulates the main concepts that are directly related to beekeeping. It defines a number of principles for regulating this type of activity.

The legislation provides for the following:

• Every year, when drawing up the budget, funds are allocated for the development and support of beekeeping.
• Requirements for veterinary and sanitary control of farms are being tightened.
• Apiary registration is carried out with reference to the zone of its location.
• The state of the economy is assessed every year. At the same time, it is important to involve specially trained specialists.
• Bee farms require a sign with contact information and registration number. It is important to mark each hive.

Bee products should be tested according to established standards. At the same time, government agencies control the purchase and sale of honey.

Industrial apiary is a profitable activity that brings a good income. To make a business profitable, it is important to follow certain rules and provide suitable conditions for insects.

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