History
Institute of Apicultural Research (IAR), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) was established in 1958. It is the only national-level specialized in apicultural science in China.
Research Goals
As the national research institute on apiculture, IARCAAS carries the responsibility to develop the modern apicultural science and technology, to improve the economic and social benefits of apiculture, to convert technological achievements, to cultivate junior research talents etc. Focusing on the fundamental theories and at the same time promoting technology, the institute leads the apicultural scientific research in China, and strives to be a world-class research institution.
Research Team
Currently, IARCAAS has 107 employees, including 26 professors and 39 associate professors. Among the researchers, 64 hold PhD degree and 19 have master degrees. At present, the institute has 7 innovation teams, conducting research on Pollinator Propagation and Pollination Application, Pollinator Insect Resources and Breeding, Resource Insect Biology, Resource Insect Biology and Rearing, Resource Insect Protection, Resource Insect Product Processing and Function Evaluation,Bee Products Quality and Risk Assessment, Utilization and Ecology of Apis cerena, Apicultural Economic Information, Pesticide Residues Analysis, Elemental Analysis and Quality Analysis in Bee Products, Livestock and Dairy Products.
Research Platform
IARCAAS has backup facilities at National or Ministerial level to support its scientific research, such as the State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, the National Bee Genebank, Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs(MARA) for Pollinating Insect Biology, Laboratory of MARA for Bee Products Quality & Safety Risk Assessment (Beijing), Key Laboratory of MARA for Bee Products Quality & Safety Control, Bee Products Quality Testing Center (Beijing) of MARA, National Agricultural Scientific Haidian Observation and Experiment Station, National Apicultural Industry Technology Research and Development Center, National R&D Center for Bee Product Processing, and National Center for Bee Germplasm Preservation. These laboratories and research platforms are equipped with superior facilities including Gas Chromatograph, Polymerase Chain Reaction Machine, Ultra Cold Storage Freezer, Electrophoresis Apparatus, Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer, Isotacho-electrophoresis Apparatus, Freezer Dryer ect.
The institute has established collaborative relationship with more than ten academic organizations, including Zhejiang University, Yunnan Agricultural University, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Shandong Agricultural University in apicultural science. In addition, the institute has attached great importance to the international cooperation, by sending researchers abroad to conduct the joint project, by attending the international conference, by inviting foreign experts to lecture and work ect.
Awards and Achievements
Recent years, IARCAAS has hosted and undertaken several national major research programs including Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), National Sci-tech Support Program, “863” program and “948” program. During the past years, IARCAAS has gained 104 scientific research achievements, of which, 80 have been awarded prizes, including 6 national prizes, 39 provincial and ministerial prizes. The institute has published 210 scientific books and has received 302 granted patents including 133 national invention patents.
Societies and Journals
Beijing Apicultural T&D Company Limited and Beijing Agricultural Apiculture Industry T&D Center are affiliated to the institute. The institute editorial office is affiliated to the Apicultural Economy and Information Center and it publishes the monthly academic journal. Apicultural Science Association of China is also attached to the IARCAAS.
