Afghan farmers bolster income with bees

[magnet-man]

An interesting article from the United States Central Command regarding beekeeping.

[PCM]

Probably taking them straight to the Poppy fields.
Wasn't Afganastan one of the major suppliers of poppy juice ??

PCM

[rkr]

Yup, Helmand region is the world largest opium poppy supplier according to Frontline on 10-13-09.
Yea I bet they want to turn in their poppy seeds and start beekeeping.

Wonder if the bees fly funny from that nectar?

[devdog108]

I am all about sharing, teaching and things, but I would like to see our $$ spent in the US on bee keeping....for now anyway. They threw in to our wonderful Stimulus 85 Million dollars for the revamping of ATV trails.....ummm.. HELLO....

I never for a minute thought my addiction would become what it has. I just strolled up there just to look and watch....I just think our tax $$ should stay put for now...BUT, I will say that i am glad they spent it at least on beeking....

[alpha6]

Hmmm...maybe they are onto something.

"Studies were carried out on honeybees foraging on plant flowers. Results showed significantly higher foraging response of honeybees (Apis mellifera) in genetically divergent narcotic plant opium poppy (Papaver somniferum). Of the 18 mutants and two locally adapted cultivars of diverse genotypes screened, eight revealed significantly greater foraging response manifesting honeybee’s preference towards specific plant morphotypes. The number of flower bloom did not correspond to number of foraging bees in both mutant and cultivar plant types of opium poppy. The genotype specific foraging response of honeybees could be attributed to physico-chemical properties of opium poppy flowers. This could have implications for the development of opium alkaloid fortified honeys for novel pharmaceuticals and isolation of natural spray compounds to attract honeybee pollinators for promoting crossing and sustainable hybridity in crops."

Opium honey!!?? Now why didn't I think of that??

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science...df4069ac83545d

[magnet-man]

Be careful, or this thread will get moved to tailgater.

[cscooke]

It's interesting that there wasn't much recollection of beekeeping in the past there. This is a great way for the US to spend a tiny bit of money and help out the local Afghans. It should help our image over there, too: never a bad thing.