Dir Agriculture Jammu inaugurates Training Prog on Promotion of Apiculture

Jammu : The Apiculture Development Scheme, Jammu, under the Sub-Mission on Agricultural Extension SAME (ATMA) scheme, organised a one day training program on “Promotion of Apiculture” at Baba Jitto, Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo, Jammu.
The programme was inaugurated by the Director Agriculture Jammu, S. Arvinder Singh Reen.
The training program witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 100 farmers, women from self-help groups and entrepreneurs across the Jammu District. The Director highlighted the significance of apiculture in enhancing honey production, marketing and generating income for farmers. He underscored the department’s commitment to supporting apiculture through HADP and other related schemes.
In his address, the Director emphasized the benefits of apiculture, including honey production and the other products such as pollen, wax, venom, propolis and royal jelly. He highlighted several key initiatives under HADP offering 35 bee hives worth Rs. 1.4 lakh with an 80 percent subsidy for farmers.
He also highlighted that a bee-keeping equipment manufacturing unit is available with a cost of Rs. 5 lakh and a 50 percent subsidy, while Customised Hiring Centers (CHCs) for pollination and honey processing units are offered at a 50 percent subsidy.
The Director also emphasized the importance of issuing I-Cards for beekeepers to address migration-related issues and announced incentives for migratory beekeeping, maximum up to Rs. 7,500 per migratory for distances up to 300 km. These measures aim to enhance apiculture practices and support the beekeeping community effectively.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from farmers and entrepreneurs eager to learn and adopt apiculture as a viable livelihood option. The training featured insightful sessions led by experts including Dr. Davinder Sharma, Professor at SKUAST Jammu; Deepak Singh, Training Officer at FTC and Om Singh, Farm Management Specialist.
The event was also attended by Joint Director Agriculture (Extension) Satish Sharma, Deputy Director (Central) Dr. Ashwani Sharma, Deputy Director (Trainings), Alok Pandotra, Agronomist (VIS) Jammu, Vikas Padha and Assistant Entomologist, Rajesh Verma, among other officers and staff. The program was coordinated and managed by the Apiculture Development Scheme Jammu team.