Asian Journal of Research in Biology

Beekeeping plays an important role in sustainable agriculture by enhancing crop pollination, supporting biodiversity, and generating additional income for rural communities through the production of honey and other bee products. The present study assessed beekeeping practices, honey bee species composition, and honey production in the Ambikapur region of Surguja district, Chhattisgarh, India. A field survey was conducted in March 2026 at the Rajmohini Devi College of Agriculture and Research Centre (RMDCARS), Ajirma. Approximately 50 managed bee colonies were examined during five field visits using direct field observations and semi-structured interviews with local beekeepers. Honey bee species were identified on the basis of external morphological characteristics and standard taxonomic descriptions, while colony-management practices, floral resources, and honey-production data were recorded through field observations and beekeepers’ records. A total of five honey bee taxa were documented, namely Apis mellifera, Apis cerana indica, Apis dorsata, Apis florea, and Tetragonula iridipennis. Among the observed bees, Apis mellifera had the highest relative abundance (42%; 210 individuals), followed by A. cerana indica (29%), A. dorsata (17%), A. florea (8%), and T. iridipennis (4%). Honey production from managed colonies was approximately 5–6 kg per hive per harvesting cycle, based on beekeepers’ records and field verification during hive inspections. Major floral resources included mustard, sunflower, eucalyptus, neem, litchi, and naturally occurring forest vegetation, which influenced the colour and sensory characteristics of the harvested honey. The study also documented common hive-management practices, including the use of movable-frame hives, smoke application during hive inspections, protective clothing, and hygienic honey-extraction procedures. Owing to the short survey duration and descriptive nature of the study, the findings should be considered preliminary and representative only of the study period. Nevertheless, the results provide baseline information on local beekeeping practices and highlight the potential of scientific apiculture to improve honey production and support sustainable agricultural development in the Ambikapur region.