Neem, a potentially valuable nectar and pollen resource for beekeeping in Indonesia

摘要

Over seventy per cent of all Indonesian people live on small farms in rural areas. Because farm income levels are low, alternatives to the more traditional agricultural pursuits are being sought to increase profits and improve the quality of life for these Indonesians. Beekeeping is one such alternative, particularly if honey production can be increased One of the problems casing low productivity among honey bee colonies is the absence of abundant bee forage in many, areas. The neem or mindi tree is an excellent source of nectar and some pollen for honey bees. This tree is already used in Indonesia as a source of raw materials for many products including medicines; inseclicides, and timber. Cultivation of the neem tree, especially in dry lowland areas, would yield multiple benefits for Indonesians inchtding increased honey production when honey bees are kept nearby. Products of the honey bee colony (honey, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and wax) have been highly-prized agricultural products for centuries. This is due to their use as food, and in medicine and cosmetics. Most important among these products is honey. Although the main ingredient of honey is sugar, it also contains minor quantities of minerals, vitamins, enzymes and antibiotics (Morse 1980).