SATURDAY, MAY 04, 2024
ANISHA FRANCIS
MARGAO: During the pandemic, Lessely Pereira was looking for sources of income when he zeroed in on beekeeping – something about bees, the hierarchy in their colonies and their vital role in pollination and possibly the future of life as we know it, fascinated Lessely. He decided to pursue basic training in beekeeping through an online course offered by the Goa government’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
Despite the theoretical knowledge he gained from the course, Pereira quickly realised that hands-on experience was essential in mastering beekeeping. With the help of Fr Michael D’Costa, director of Don Bosco Vocational Training Centre, Quepem, Pereira began building, tending to and extracting honey and beeswax from his precious hives – and it changed his life.
Starting with just one hive in 2020, Pereira now manages an impressive 30 hives across many locations, which yield around 80 kilos of honey per year. “Apiary has changed many aspects of my life for the better – spiritually, financially, and it has brought me closer to nature,” says Lessely, who is now on a mission to train and support farmers,
hobbyists and self-help-groups from across Salcete, in his capacity as a field assistant in beekeeping with the Goa Khadi and Village Industries Board.
“At first, I did get stung a lot, all over my face,” admits Lessely, who soon learned the nuances of how to handle bees gently, without upsetting them. Today, his seven-year-old daughter Leeome is also a fearless bee-keeper, and takes stings in her stride, as part and parcel of the job. Lessely’s wife Sweta helps market their brand of honey and beeswax products (lip balms, pain relief salves, etc) named ‘Lee’s Bees’ in memory of a lost child.
“To me, it isn’t just a business; bees are remarkable insects and vital to the survival of humans and most other living beings. Bee-keeping can also bolster rural livelihoods and farmers who rear bees find that their crop yield doubles!” says Lessley, adding that the cost of a hive, along with bees and accessories comes to Rs 6,000-7,000, but the government provides a 90% subsidy to anyone interested in rearing honey bees. “You do not need to have a large space or even grow flowers to keep your colony happy; I only have a small kitchen garden with some cucumbers and other vegetables at my place in Cavelossim, and my colonies are thriving,” he says with a smile.
