More than 350 stakeholders from various government institutes participated in the event
A one-day workshop on ’Promotion of Bee-Keeping Sector in Southern Region’ was organised jointly by MANAGE and National Bee Board (NBB), New Delhi at MANAGE, Hyderabad. More than 350 stakeholders which included senior officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), National Bee Board (NBB), NCDC, Cooperatives, Banks, Directors / Commissioners of State Agriculture / Horticulture Departments, MANAGE Faculty, Agri startups and National Training Institutes under ACABC Scheme participated in the workshop both through physical and online mode.
Dr P Chandra Shekara, Director General, MANAGE in his welcome address highlighted the importance of honeybees and beekeeping in doubling the farmers’ income and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices. He felt there is a great need to provide extension services and build capacities of farmers, agripreneurs and agri startups on beekeeping, processing technologies and marketing to promote the sector.
The chief guest Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India, stressed the need to treat beekeeping/honeybee as an input in agriculture to boost crop productivity through pollination and ensure sustainable agriculture in the country.
Dr Likhi highlighted MadhuKranti portal established by MoAFW to support small and marginal farmers and other stakeholders across the value chain.
He stressed the need for training and capacity building on scientific beekeeping, intensive technical training, improving skills and use of blockchain technologies and QR code through State Agricultural Universities, MANAGE and Regional Cooperative Institutions in next year.
He released honey and beeswax-based products manufactured by honey-based agri startups promoted by MANAGE under the RKVY- RAFTAAR Project of Govt. of India. The CEOs of these agri startups shared their experiences in organic comb honey, honey production during the non-flowering period, natural preservation techniques, processing, packing, marketing, smart beehive monitoring system, use of blockchain and QR based technology, IoT controlled bee box system for app-based management etc.
Dr SK Malhotra, Agriculture & Horticulture Commissioner, GoI, gave an overview of the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) and urged agricultural research, agricultural universities, state governments, agripreneurs and farmers to make concerted efforts to implement the Beekeeping and Honey Mission in the country.
Dr NK Patle, Addl Commissioner (Hort.) & Executive Director, National Bee Board (NBB) stated that beekeeping and honeybees will not only provide income to farmers but also enhance crop productivity through pollination in an eco-friendly manner. He informed that the National Bee Board is striving to implement the recommendations of the high-level Beekeeping Development Committee (BDC) and asked ICAR, State Agricultural Universities, Departments of Agriculture/ Horticulture of State Governments & UTs and other organisations to accelerate the Beekeeping and Honey Mission in the country.
During the technical sessions, Dr Unnikrishnan, GM of NAFED shared the NAFED strategy for Apiculture. Dr Saravanan Raj, Director (Agri. Extension), MANAGE explained the agri-startups in the honey sector and discussed the opportunities and challenges in the sector. Jai Prakash of Indian Bank, New Delhi made a presentation on the traceability of the source of honey and other beehive products. L Venkatram Reddy, Director of Horticulture & Sericulture, Government of Telangana presented horticulture, beekeeping and honey bee programs being implemented by the state government.
