Sweet revolution

J&K government has focussed on beekeeping promotion and have started a new project to give it a boost.

With the efforts of the J&K administration, UT is witnessing a sweet revolution with Rs 46.65 cr Beekeeping promotion project.

1,43,000 new bee colonies to be set up enhancing honey production to 66100 quintal is the target of the government.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has embarked upon multi-pronged strategies to increase the number of bee colonies through cluster formation, encouraging bee-preneurship and bee-startups besides developing infrastructure for post harvest management, value addition and marketing.

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.

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.