Nadzirum Mubin, IPB University Young Lecturer Explains How To Cultivate Stingless Bees

Bees are synonymous with dangerous insects. This animal can sting so many people avoid it. However, bees also have advantages that many people take advantage of, including producing honey which is useful as an immune booster. But apparently, there are stingless bees but can still produce a lot of honey.

Nadzirum Mubin, SP, MSi, a young lecturer at IPB University from the Department of Plant Protection (PTN), Faculty of Agriculture, shared knowledge about the benefits of stingless bees and efforts to use them for agriculture. This was revealed at the Indonesian Plant Protection Jamboree, which was initiated by the Professional Association of the Department of Plant Protection (HIMASITA) IPB University.

“Bees known so far are generally from the group of stinging bees, namely Apis mellifera, A cerana, A dorsata and others. But it has long been known that stingless bees are able to produce honey, even though the honey content is higher and rich in antioxidants. One example of a stingless bee is Tetragonula laevicep," he said some time ago.

In his presentation, Nadzir explained that the bees, which have been known so far, are only insects that produce honey, bee bread, propolis and other derivative products. In fact, he said, bees have an even bigger role, namely as pollinating insects.

“Insect pollinators are insects that are of great service to the ecosystem. With the help of pollinating bees, the fruit and seeds formed (fruit and seed sets) can be increased many times over. Many references state that the fruit that is formed becomes bigger, longer, and has an increased shelf life,” said Nadzir.

According to him, bees are very useful insects. Apart from being a producer of honey, these insects also have an ecological role, helping to balance the ecosystem in nature and being able to increase the production of agricultural crops, plantations and others.

"It is time for all parties, including students, to know the role of these small insects," said Nadzir.

However, he continued, there is a new problem, namely environmental issues, one of which is the conversion of land functions which causes a lot of beehives to not be where they should be. He revealed that many stingless bees are known to make nests in used exhausts, flower pots, wall gaps, house doors and others.

Therefore, on this occasion, Nadzir also explained how to cultivate stingless bees, how to get stingless bee nests, how to move nests, how to split colony and others. He said the cultivation of stingless bees is very easy, because it does not require a large space.

“With its short roaming range, the use of garden plants is a potential source of food. Utilization of flowering plants in the yard, in addition to beautifying the yard, the bee owner will also be able to harvest his own honey at home,” he explained.

He added, by being cultivated at home, there is no longer any concern about fake honey. Because the bees are fed and harvested by the owner himself.

“My big dream is for everyone to be able to keep stingless bees at home. Everyone can harvest their own honey and be able to meet the health needs of their families independently,” he concluded. (IPB News*/Rz)