Narendra Singh Tomar assured Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation to look into the proposal for establishing a testing lab in Gujarat
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar launched Amul Honey, a product of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) under active cooperation with the National Bee Board (NBB). The product was launched virtually in the presence of the Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairying Parshottam Rupala.
Addressing the launching event, Tomar emphasised the importance of National Beekeeping and Honey Mission in increasing the income of small farmers, which is being implemented in the country for doubling the income of farmers/beekeepers through beekeeping with the budgetary allocation of Rs 500 crores.
Speaking on the occasion, he expressed that the quality of honey is a major concern in the country for which five large scale regional honey testing labs and 100 mini honey testing labs are being set up all over the country.
Appreciating efforts made by Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), Tomar said Amul has not only set up a milestone in the direction of the White Revolution but it also expanded in the milk processing sector and established itself as a global brand. The minister also assured GMMF that the agriculture ministry will look into the proposal for establishing a testing lab in Gujarat.
Rupala said promoting beekeeping and selling honey through cooperatives will give a boost to the rural economy. He also encouraged farmers/beekeepers that along with honey, they can also produce additional by-products of beekeeping, viz.; beeswax, pollen, royal jelly, as these products have high demand and better prices in Indian and international markets.
Sanjay Agarwal, Secretary, A&FW said that after implementation of the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), the whole scenario of beekeeping in the country has changed and thrust is being given on assuring the quality of honey, aggregation of beekeepers, providing infrastructural facilities including honey testing labs, Madhukranti portal to stop adulteration in honey production.
Dr RS Sodhi, MD, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation mentioned that Dairy Cooperatives and their infrastructural facilities can be simultaneously used for honey production through their established set up of 84 dairy plants over all the country.
Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Kailash Choudhary, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry Atul Chaturvedi along with senior officials of the MoAF and MoAHFD were present at the occasion. Shamalbhai Patel, Chairman, GCMMF, Valamjibhai Humbal, Vice Chairman, GCMMF, Shankar Chaudhary, Chairman, Banas Dairy joined virtually from Gujarat.
