Rafiq HoneyBee Farms

Between 1928 and 1977, thirty-one attempts were made to establish European bee (Apis melafera) in subcontinent, out of which seventeen attempts were made in Pakistan. Unfortunately, all the attempts were a total failure. In the last-half of the year 1977, my grandfather Dr. Rafiq Ahmad was appointed for the establishment of honeybee program. He established HBRI (Honey Beekeeping Research Institute) at NARC (National Agriculture Research Center) Islamabad and after much effort established the reason for the death of European bee in Asia (which was inbreeding) and thus permanently solved this issue. In early 1980’s Pakistan became 1st autonomous Asian country in honey production and export. His knowledge and research not only helped Pakistan but also vitally assisted other Asian and Middle-East countries to develop modern beekeeping industry, thereby contributing to their income and economy.

By the grace of God he built capacity in many poor Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists by transferring knowledge about beekeeping to them and also engineered very cost effective beekeeping tools, he added new dimensions to Apiculture and added new words and meanings in subject of Agriculture science. It is an established fact that every beekeeper in Pakistan, India, China, Nepal, Srilanka, Japan, and Bhutan is a student or student of Dr.Rafiq's students. Dr. Rafiq Ahmad who served this world in the following positions:

• Ex-Chief Scientific Officer of Honeybee Research Institute (HBRI).
• Ex-National Coordinator and Ex-Deputy Director General of National Agriculture Research Center (NARC).
• Ex-Entomologist of Commonwealth Institute of Biological control at South American Station, Argentina Station and Pakistan station.
• Advisor (life –time) and Deputy Governor (life –time) to ABI Research Association, USA.

Apart of Modern Beekeeping there are number of achievements made by Dr. Rafiq Ahmad in the agriculture sector as a whole, but following two are imperative:

• Invented new cost effective agriculture techniques and made innovative ways of transferring the technologies to Pakistan.
• Saved America from Permanent loss of citrus crop from stern attack of ‘Insect Pest’ in first half of 1970’s by Biological Insect Pest Management (created a new insect which use to eat that pest insect and don't damage the fruit or Plant).

Dr. Rafiq Ahmad has been honored with the following awards:

1. Two International peace prize, united cultural convention, USA.
2. Gold medal & silver medal (Japan).
3. Two bronze medal (Poland), Apicultural congresses of Ampimodia.
4. Gold Medal, Silver Jubilee PL 480 Research, USDA, USA & PARC, Pakistan.
5. Silver Medal, IBC, Cambridge, UK.
6. Two 2000 Millennium Medal of Honor , ABI, USA.
7. Genius Laureate ( Beekeeping and Biological Control Insect Pests) , ABI USA.
8. PARC SILVER JUBILEE AWARD  for making Pakistan self-sufficient in honey production and a honey exporting country.
9. The Honorable J.M Evans, President, ABI, USA set up Dr. Rafiq Ahmad Award Foundation for Achievements in Biological Control of Insect Pests  and Apiculture (Based on appreciation of president Nixon, USA).
10. Prime Minister of Pakistan awarded a certificate of appreciation along with cash prize as an outstanding scientist in apiculture in Farmer Convention, 2009.

In 1992 he retired from National Honeybee Research Institute (NHBRI) Islamabad NARC Pakistan. After his retirement he founded Rafiq Honeybee Farm, Bait ul Rafiq and National Beekeeping federation, this federation consists of 52 members of Pakistani Beekeepers.

Dr.Rafiq Ahmad transferred his knowledge and skills to his grandson Muhammad Hammad by continuous training of 20 years. Muhammad Hammad from his childhood started understanding honeybees, honey production and started visiting apiaries (Honeybee farm). Dr.Rafiq Ahmad, died on the 16th of October 2015 Friday 9:20 pm PST, Corresponding to the 3rd of Muharam 1437 Hijri. May Allah (God) have Mercy on him and raise him up with the Prophets, Siddiqqeen (truthful), Shuhadaah (martyrs) and Saliheen (righteous). Now Muhammad Hammad is taking on his legacy. He did B.sc Hons in Agriculture, MBA in Agriculture Business and Ms in Agriculture Development.