Jammu: A seven-day training program on scientific beekeeping, organized by Apiculture Development Scheme-Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Jammu under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), commenced on Monday at Baba Jitto Kisan Kendra, Jammu.
The program is aimed at raising awareness and building skills among 50 prospective beekeepers from Jammu and Samba districts of the Jammu division.
The training programme was inaugurated by Director Agriculture Jammu, S. Arvinder Singh Reen as the Chief Guest.
In his address, the Director Agriculture Jammu emphasized the vital role of beekeeping in generating income and employment opportunities. He encouraged the unemployed youth of the region to adopt beekeeping as a profession, noting the immense potential in Jammu & Kashmir due to its diverse agro-climatic conditions, rich biodiversity, and the growing demand for honey, driven by its medicinal and nutritional significance.
The Director further highlighted the department’s commitment to supporting beekeepers, saying, “Advanced-level training programs and exposure visits to national institutes will be organized to meet the wider aspirations of beekeepers. The department is also committed to providing both technical and financial assistance, particularly for the migration of bee colonies to optimize honey harvests and the production of various types of honey with unique aroma and taste.”
He encouraged the trainees to make the most of the opportunities offered under the HADP and other department schemes designed to promote beekeeping. He also informed participants that the department will provide outlets for sale of local products including honey through opening of farmers facilitation centres at sub divisional level.
Assistant Entomologist Rajesh Verma provided details about the seven-day training program, which will cover all aspects of scientific beekeeping. He informed that experts from SKUAST-Jammu and the Department of Agriculture will deliver lectures on key topics such as seasonal management, pest and disease management, value addition, and marketing strategies. Practical, hands-on training on bee hive operations and bee colonies management will also be conducted at the Apiculture Demonstration cum Training Centre in Chimney Chak, Jammu. The participants will also visit the AICRP for Honey Bees and Pollinators at SKUAST-Jammu to gain knowledge about the value addition of honey and its potential to make beekeeping a profitable enterprise.
An interactive session, including a feedback session, was also held, where participants expressed satisfaction with the quality and relevance of the training. They appreciated the comprehensive lectures and the practical insights provided during the program.
The inaugural session was attended by Deputy Director (Central) Jammu Dr. Ashwani Sharma, Agronomist (VIS) Vikas Padha, Deputy Director Training (J) Alok Pandotra and Dr. Adil Rashid, Assistant Soil Survey Officer. The officers and staff of the Apiculture Development Scheme, Directorate of Agriculture Jammu, conducted the proceedings of the program.
