JAMMU: The Two Day UT Level Seminar on “Scientific Beekeeping” under National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM ) concluded today here at Kisan Kendra . The Seminar was organized by the Apiculture Development department.
Director Agriculture Jammu S A S Reen released a Souvenir on Apiculture at the valedictory session of the Seminar. Addressing the participants he emphasized upon the need for adoption of beekeeping activity by the farmers as the most lucrative profession to improve their economic status. He stressed for Bee Keeping on scientific lines to make it more prolific.
Director further elaborated various projects and steps taken up by the Department for strengthening of this sector. He added that more stress is being laid on capacity building of beekeepers and marketing of honey and its by-products. He informed that bee colonies are provided to farmers on more subsidy and the provision of min Honey Testing Lab will be provided by the Department very soon
Technical session was conducted by experts including Dr. DP Abrol ( Retd. Dean, SKUAST Jammu) Bhupinder Gupta Project Officer, Deepak Singh, Training Officer and Dr. Vishal Raina Apiculture Expert.
During the programme different topics covered included processing & Value addition of honey, entrepreneurship development in beekeeping, bee colony management. The trainees were also made aware about the Departmental schemes and other benefits provided by the Department & other government Departments.
Some progressive beekeepers and representatives of NGOs also spoke in the Seminar and shared experiences and problems faced by them. Kapoor Tulsi plants were distributed to all participants from Nursery of Agronomist section to be planted at their fields as it provides bee flora for the bees.
Joint Director Extension Sanjay Verma, Liaison Officer Apiculture & Mushroom, Dr. Ashwani Sharma, Deputy Director Training Alok Pandotra, Vikas Padha, Agronomist Jammu, sectoral officers and other officers and officials were present. More than 250 beekeepers/entrepreneurs /officers/ officials including women attended the Seminar. The Seminar concluded with vote of thanks by Rajesh Verma Assistant Entomologist Jammu.