Jammu and Kashmir: UT witnessing beekeeping promotion project

Beekeeping or Apiculture has been one of the age old traditions in Jammu and Kashmir, which is now turning into a lucrative business with governments’ progressive policies and initiatives, reports Good Morning Kashmir.

The UT administration, through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) of SKUAST-J and SKUAST-K and Department of Agriculture, is imparting technical skills among the farmers. Besides, beehives are also being provided to the farmers on subsidy basis to promote beekeeping.

Through apiculture development schemes of current dispensation in the Union Territory, beekeepers are processing crude honey in government facilities for free. For standardization, small-time keepers are also being offered the service of honey testing and logo stamping for better returns in the market. These processing units are a one-stop-solution towards reducing the moisture of honey, filter and bottle it.

To increase their earnings manifold, new-age agri-preneurs are making value addition to honey by making products such as soaps, candles, cosmetics, Ayurvedic medicines, etcetera which are in high demand in the Indian market. As a result, consumers have been switching to non-toxic, organic products, free from health hazards, presenting a big opportunity for the youth to start a profitable venture in the sector.

Notably, Jammu and Kashmir government has launched a Rs 46.65 crore `Promotion of Beekeeping’ project to increase the annual honey production to 66100 quintal in the UT, the news portal reported.

According to an official spokesperson, the population of bees will be enhanced by 333 percent under the `Promotion of beekeeping’ project which will give a big push to honey production in the region.