Beekeeper turns heads with bees swarming his body at Agriculture Show

Herald Ram believes that be­ing a beekeeper not only generates income, but also contributes to healthy living through its products.

Mr Ram drew attention at the opening of the National Agricul­ture Show at Koroivolu Park in Nadi when he was spotted with bees attached to his body, captivat­ing everyone present.

The 40-year-old is a well-known beekeeper and supplier of bees and beekeeping equipment in Fiji, based in Vutuni, Ba.

With extensive experience in the field, he is recognised by the Fiji Beekeepers Association as a key resource for those interested in the industry.

He began beekeeping at the age of eight, working alongside his fa­ther.

The father of three said that hav­ing bees on his body for more than four hours without being stung was a result of his knowledge and skills in handling them.

"I caged the Queen bee and stuck it on my body, and that attracted the bees to attach to my skin to protect the Queen. 

""I did not feel any sting. I have been doing this for years," Mr Ram said.

He explained that the bees on his body were Italian bees.

"Native wild bees sting, but Ital­ian bees are calm, and you can handle them without wearing bee suits. We get them from the Bee­keepers Association and the Min­istry of Agriculture," he said.

Mr Ram added that during the opening of the National Agricul­ture Show, he displayed the bees on his body to promote the bee­keeping industry.

"People fear bees and do not want to do bee farming. I am doing this to promote bee farming because what it produces supports good health and contributes to healthy living, especially for our children. 

Honey is digestible by our immune system, while sugar raises blood sugar levels and increases the risk of diabetes," he explained.

He also owns a business called Honey Kingdom, which supplies honey to hotels and resorts along the Coral Coast and in Nadi.

"I find a lot of benefits in this in­dustry," he said.

Mr Ram sells honey at $20 per bottle, while crystal honey ranges from $40 to $50.

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