MP Board · Class 9 · Science · Improvement in Food ResourcesWhat is apiculture? Mention three desirable qualities of the Italian bee variety (Apis mellifera) useful in commercial bee-farming.

Apiculture is the scientific practice of rearing and maintaining honeybee colonies in artificial hives for commercial production of honey and beeswax. The Italian bee variety (Apis mellifera) is widely preferred for commercial apiculture because:

1. It possesses a high honey collection capacity.
2. It stings less frequently compared to indigenous species.
3. It stays in the beehive for longer periods and breeds rapidly to maintain large colony sizes.