Beekeeping, or apiculture, is one of the oldest agricultural practices known to humanity. In India, the relationship between humans and honeybees stretches back millennia, with references found in the Rig Veda, Buddhist scriptures, and Mesolithic rock paintings. Today, India stands as one of the leading exporters of honey globally, producing approximately 1.4 lakh metric tonnes annually, with scientific beekeeping evolving from a traditional cottage activity into a technology-driven enterprise.

This book, Honeybee Rearing Technology, is designed to serve as a comprehensive reference for researchers, academics, students of apiculture, and advanced practitioners. It encompasses twenty chapters organised into seven parts, covering the full breadth of modern apicultural science and technology.

The volume includes detailed coverage of honeybee anatomy and physiology, providing the biological foundation essential for effective colony management. It also presents advancements in stingless bee (meliponiculture) rearing, reflecting the growing importance of Tetragonula species in pollination services and their livelihood potential, particularly among tribal communities. The inclusion of apitherapy highlights the expanding scientific evidence on the medicinal value of bee products. In addition, key contemporary issues such as honeybee conservation and the impact of climate change on apiculture are addressed.