Bee-keeping a viable, attractive occupation in Jammu and Kashmir: Atal Dulloo
SRINAGAR: Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Agriculture Production Department (APD) Atal Dulloo on Saturday said that Bee Keeping was a viable and attractive occupation in J&K and a large number of youth are taking it as well.
The ACS said this while addressing a day long Kisan Sammelan on Beekeeping Progressive Farmers here.
The Kissan Samellan was attended by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Director Horticulture Kashmir, MD JKHPMC, Secretary J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans, members of J&K Advisory Board for Development of Kisans, experts from SKUAST-K, District Agriculture officers, large number of Beekeepers and other progressive farmers.
Dulloo said that Samellan will provide a roadmap for future progression of the Bee Keeping sector and the feedback from this Samellan will give better insights for the government to approach the sector as per the needs of beekeepers.
The ACS said that Beekeeping has very much potential and sustainability in J&K and it is emerging as one of the viable sectors having maximum chances of employability.
Atal Dulloo further highlighted that the Government will provide e-marketing platforms for the Bee Keepers to sell their products which will eventually give them good returns.
He also said that GI tag for Kashmiri honey is also under the consideration of the government and a suitable plan for the same is being worked out.
The ACS further said that the Organic Certification for honey is also under the thought of government besides Disease Diagnostic labs as well as Mobile vans for testing as well as upkeeping of bee colonies will be established to provide best possible support for the community.
Atal Dulloo also highlighted that the plants which are most responsible for production of honey will be protected under the National Honey Mission and the government will utilise all its efforts for the revival of the SOLAI plant.
In his welcome address, Director Agriculture Kashmir said that this Samellan will provide a platform to interact with Kisans and listen to their problems and concerns.
He highlighted that with the constant handholding of the government, the farmers of J&K are getting National and International level platforms to showcase their products.
During the technical session of the Sammelan, the experts from SKUAST-K spoke on the Revival of SOLAI as well as Management of Varroa Mite disease in honey bees.
A progressive Bee Keeper from Pulwama also spoke on the occasion and talked about the Bee Keeping in Kashmir, its scope and challenges.
During the Sammelan, various queries of progressive Beekeepers were also addressed on the occasion.
KV News
