COIMBATORE: A week-long exclusively designed training was imparted to some tribals, to convert them from honey hunters into bee keepers at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.Twelve Irula tribals, including four women, who are basically honey hunters, from Palamalai and Tholambalayam in the district, were selected for this Centrally sponsored on-campus training programme.

Trainees were taught about the importance of collecting, extracting and selling bee wax, during the training, conducted in collaboration with Khadi and Village Industries Board, according to a release from the university.

Saying that hygienic methods of extracting honey from the rock bee combs were demonstrated to them, the release said that various hiving techniques to capture bee colonies in their natural habitat were practically explained by experienced beekeepers.

Ten beehives and bee keeping appliances (smoker and honey extractor) were distributed free of cost to each participant by the board under Western Ghat Development Programme, it said.A bee colony was also supplied to each trainee free of cost by the university, the release added.