Karnataka Farmer Sets World Record, Braves Bee Swarm For Agricultural Advancements

Hailing from Pernaje in Puttur Taluk, Dakshina Kannada District, Kumar engages in agriculture, primarily betel nut cultivation, and has included beekeeping as his main source of income. Despite the challenges involved in handling and separating queen bee families, Kumar indulges in the unique practice of braving a swarm of bees in his beard and moustache to set a Guinness World Record.

Kumar in Pernaje collects beehives from his garden and takes them home, caring for them in special boxes. He sets up and shares bee colonies generously with those who need them. Kumar sees valuable life lessons in observing these social creatures, finding their intricate workings a unique insight into agriculture.

Farmer Kumar, hailing from Puttur taluk in Dakshina Kannada district, garners recognition for his innovative initiatives. Following the development of a new machine for pest control in monkeys, he introduces a low-cost beehive, underscoring his dedication to inventive farming solutions.

Residing on a small plot in his name, he is a dedicated farmer and a progressive agriculturist cultivating various crops such as groundnut, coconut, banana, black pepper, coffee, and honey. Innovating his farming equipment, he initially introduced a simple technique for dispensing medicine to his nut plantations by standing under a tree.

To ward off monkeys from his plantations, he built a firecracker gun inspired by the Kovi. Currently, he has unveiled a novel approach for his beekeeping by-product. Shifting away from traditional wooden construction, he prioritises durability by employing cement sheets to craft beehive boxes.

A wooden honey box, priced between Rs 3 and Rs 3,500, faces competition from the more affordable cement sheet, costing only Rs 1,000. The cement boxes, apart from being cost-effective, are resistant to termite and ant issues prevalent in their wooden counterparts. He asserts that these cement boxes demonstrate resilience against rainwater, especially during the monsoon season.

Back in 2020, Nature MS, a beekeeper, set a world record by spending over four hours with his head entirely covered in bees. According to Guinness World Records, the 24-year-old accomplished this feat, lasting four hours, 10 minutes, and five seconds to secure the record.