HISTORY OF BEEKEEPING IN KAMCHATKA

The article analyzes the data collected from different sources about the facts of bee breeding and use in Kamchatka. In the historiography of beekeeping farms on the peninsula three periods are distinguished: "Pre-revolutionary", "Soviet" and "Post-Soviet". They differ in terms of prerequisites, in terms of opportunities for the establishment of apiaries, in terms of investigated objectives, as well as in terms of results. Information is given about the assessments of specialists, given at different times, regarding the prospects of beekeeping in local climatic and honey-gathering conditions. It is shown that the potential of this agricultural direction directly depends on the socio-economic situation of the region in a certain historical period. In the current post-Soviet period, beekeeping is constantly present in the life of the population of Kamchatka and has a certain development, but for the owners of bees remains a source of additional income. In order to bring this occupation to a more significant economic level, it is necessary to continue and intensify scientific research on the biological features of honey bees, manifested in local conditions, and to develop appropriate beekeeping technologies.