MP Board · Class 9 · Science · Improvement in Food ResourcesSolve the numerical problem in Part A and answer the theoretical question in Part B regarding Bee-keeping (Apiculture): Part A (Numerical):\nAn apiarist manages an apiary containing $50$ bee hives of the Italian bee species (Apis mellifera). Each hive produces an average of $35\text{ kg}$ of honey per year. The market selling price of pure honey is ₹$300$ per kg. Calculate the total mass of honey (in kg) produced by the apiary in one year. Calculate the total annual revenue generated from the sale of honey. If the annual maintenance cost (including artificial sugar feeding during non-flowering lean seasons and hive maintenance) is ₹$1,200$ per hive, calculate the net annual profit earned by the apiarist. Part B (Theoretical): State four distinct commercial advantages of using the Italian bee species (Apis mellifera) over indigenous Indian bee species for honey production. Define the term Pasturage and explain how pasturage dictates the yield, quality, and flavor of honey.

Part A (Numerical Solution)

Given Data:

• Number of hives = $50$
• Honey yield per hive per year = $35\text{ kg}$
• Selling price of honey = ₹$300\text{ / kg}$
• Maintenance cost per hive per year = ₹$1,200$

--- launch calculations ---

1. Total mass of honey produced in one year: $$\text{Total Honey} = \text{Number of hives} \times \text{Yield per hive}$$ $$\text{Total Honey} = 50 \times 35\text{ kg} = 1,750\text{ kg}$$

2. Total annual revenue from honey sales: $$\text{Gross Revenue} = \text{Total Honey (kg)} \times \text{Price per kg}$$ $$\text{Gross Revenue} = 1,750 \times \text{₹}300 = \text{₹}5,25,000$$

3. Net annual profit earned: $$\text{Total Maintenance Cost} = 50 \times \text{₹}1,200 = \text{₹}60,000$$ $$\text{Net Profit} = \text{Gross Revenue} - \text{Total Maintenance Cost}$$ $$\text{Net Profit} = \text{₹}5,25,000 - \text{₹}60,000 = \text{₹}4,65,000$$

Part B (Theoretical Answer)

1. Commercial Advantages of Apis mellifera (Italian Bee)

• High Honey Collection Capacity: Apis mellifera has a significantly higher honey collection capacity compared to local species like Apis cerana indica.
• Gentle Nature: They sting less frequently, making hive management easier and safer for bee-keepers.
• Longer Residence in Hives: They stay in a given beehive for long periods and do not abandon the hive easily.
• Prolific Breeding Rate: The queen bee has a very high egg-laying capacity, leading to rapid colony growth.

2. Concept of Pasturage and Its Significance

• Definition: Pasturage (or flora) refers to the flowering plants, fruit orchards, and crops available to honeybees within their foraging distance for collecting nectar and pollen.
• Effect on Honey Quantity: The availability of abundant, nectar-rich flowers determines the amount of honey produced by the colony.
• Effect on Quality and Taste: The specific type of flowers visited by bees dictates the unique flavor, aroma, color, and medicinal quality of the resulting honey (e.g., mustard flower pasturage yields distinct honey compared to eucalyptus flower pasturage).