Rural youth imparted awareness, training in Beekeeping under NABRAD funded project
Jammu: One-day awareness camp on beekeeping under NABARD funded project “Mobilization of Farmers through Development of Bee Village for Collective Marketing of Organic Honey” was today organized by Division of Entomology, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology at Sadheen, (Pouni) Reasi.
The programme was organized in collaboration with KVK Reasi, Department of Horticulture (Planning and Marketing), Udhampur/Reasi and Department of Agriculture, Reasi. Progressive beekeepers, unemployed youth and farmers from adjacent areas of village attended the programme.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Ravinder Thaploo was chief guest of the programme, while Ashwani Sharma, Area Marketing Officer was guest of honour.
The camp was attended by more than 30 farmers/beekeepers of the area. Highlighting the potential of the beekeeping, Dr. Devinder Sharma, PI of the Project said that bee-keeping is a profitable agro based industry and various initiatives has been taken by the government for increasing the production and marketing of the honey.
The Chief Agriculture Officer advised the farmers to adopt beekeeping to increases their income resources. He stated that Jammu and Kashmir is being one of the most important and suitable beekeeping places for the stationary and migratory beekeeping because of its favourable climatic conditions and diverse natural flora.
Dr. Banarsi Lal, Incharge KVK, Reasi stressed the farmers to adopt beekeeping on commercial lines and promoting the Sadheen village as honey Village.
Adarsh Mahajan, DDM NABARD Reasi discussed the prospects of the project in Reasi area and highlighted the importance of the beekeeping for increasing productivity and providing employment to the unemployed youth.
LDM, Habibullah called upon the farmers to adopt beekeeping to increases their income resources.
Ashwani Sharma, Area Marketing Officer elaborated various centrally sponsored schemes and marketing aspect of beekeeping and agriculture produce to the farmers.
Dr. Mangla Ram Bajiya, demonstrated the various techniques to control wasp in apiary.
On this occasion, wasp trap developed by SKUAST-J were distributed among the beekeepers to control wasp menace in the apiary. The Sarpanch Neelam Rani, besides other official from line department attended the programme.
The training concluded with vote of thanks by Devraj Sharma, Apiculture Development Officer.