Port Blair, Jun 08: A programme on Promotion of Beekeeping by Zonal Agriculture Office, Diglipur was organized at Floriculture Farm, an annex to SC&SD Farm V.S. Pally on 08th June 2022. Mr. RadheyShyamMeena, Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur was invited to grace the event. The program was attended by Mrs. Anita Mondal, Pradhan, GP Keralapuram and Mr. BirenSardar, Up-Pradhan, GP Sitanagar.
The demonstration was conducted on the establishment of bee hive boxes, bee colonies and maintenance of beekeeping. Speaking on the occasion, the officials of the Agri. Dept. gave informative lectures on topics like types of honey bees, activities and behavioural patterns of bees, multiplication techniques of bee colonies and honey extraction methods.
The ACDP, overwhelmed by the efforts of Agriculture Dept.’s officials encouraged the farmers for adopting the techniques of bee keeping as it can help accelerate their additional income. Mr. J. Mohan, Agriculture Officer, Diglipur highlighted the High Value Scheme wherein for beekeeping the farmers can avail up to 40% subsidy for pollination support through bee-keeping.
A successful beekeeper Mr. Binoy Roy, a resident of Sitanagar village shared his experience of beekeeping and its gains. He also added that he has been doing beekeeping for the last four years and he had got training under ATMA. Now Mr. Roy is earning an additional income by selling honey and bee colonies.
The prime objective of the program was to create awareness among farmers regarding the importance of beekeeping. Beekeeping is essential, not just for honey extracts but also for the pollination services rendered by bees. Several studies reveal that the presence of bees at a time when plants are flowering significantly increases both the yield and quality of crops, the Agriculture Officials affirmed.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Mrs. Gayatri Singh, Agriculture Assistant. Altogether, 35 farmers participated in the session along with the ATMA staff of Diglipur Zone.