Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, AUG 25:
The Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare Jammu, under its Apiculture Development Scheme, organized a Seven-Day Divisional Level Training Programme on Scientific Beekeeping integrated with Oil Seed Mission for beekeepers and farmers of NMEO-OS.
The session, held under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), commenced on August 18, 2025.
The programme concluded today with a valedictory session held at Kisan Kendra, Talab Tillo with Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta as the Chief Guest. Among others present were Joint Director Inputs, Dr. Ashwani Kumar; Assistant Entomologist, Rajesh Verma; Agriculture Economist Tilak Raj Sharma; Agronomist (VIS) Vikas Padha; Agriculture Information Officer (FTC) Guldev Raj; District Agriculture Officer Neeraj Rajwal.
A group of 25 prospective beekeepers from Oil Seed Cluster Bhalwal attended the seven-day training programme.
The scientists from SKUAST–Jammu and departmental experts delivered lectures on all aspects of scientific beekeeping. The participants also visited the Apiculture Demonstration-cum-Training Centre, Chimney Chak, Jammu, where they received practical hands-on training on the operation of bee hives and management of bee colonies.
Additionally, the trainees were taken to the Honey processing and testing Laboratory, AICRP for Honey Bees & Pollinators at SKUAST–J, where they were imparted knowledge about value addition of honey and its potential in making beekeeping a viable and profitable enterprise.
The Director highlighted the vast potential of apiculture in enhancing farmers’ income and emphasized the importance of adopting scientific techniques in beekeeping. He also elaborated on various apiculture-based schemes being implemented by the department to promote beekeeping as a sustainable and profitable livelihood option for farming communities.
Joint Director Inputs underlined the role of apiculture in crop diversification, pollination management, and doubling farmers’ income. He encouraged farmers to avail departmental support and adopt innovative practices to strengthen beekeeping as an allied agricultural enterprise.
Earlier, the programme began with a welcome address by Assistant Entomologist, Rajesh Verma.
Later, Certificates, tool kits and Bee flora saplings were distributed among the participating farmers. The Team Apiculture of the department conducted the proceedings of the programme.
