Beekeepers are processing uncooked honey in authorities amenities totally free as half of the present administration’s apiculture growth schemes within the Union Territory. Small-time keepers are additionally supplied the companies of honey testing and emblem stamping for higher market returns. These processing items present a one-stop resolution for lowering the moisture in honey, filtering it, and packaging it.
New-age agripreneurs are including worth to honey by creating merchandise akin to soaps, candles, cosmetics, Ayurvedic medicines, and so forth, that are in excessive demand within the Indian market. In consequence, customers have shifted to non-toxic, natural merchandise which might be freed from well being dangers, creating an enormous alternative for younger individuals to begin a worthwhile enterprise. Given the rising reputation of Ramban White Honey, the Apiculture Division is working to advertise the district’s autumn produce by way of the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme.
It’s distinctive not solely in color and flavour, but in addition in medicinal properties. Beekeeping, which requires much less land and nearly no preliminary funding, is predicted to contribute considerably to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s imaginative and prescient of doubling farmers’ earnings if farmers and landowners embrace it as a non-competitive and off-farm exercise. J&Okay’s weather conditions enable for loads of flora all yr, making it one of the best vacation spot for this exercise. Beneficiaries of India’s Nationwide Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) are given bee containers, dwell bee colonies, software kits, and coaching to assist them set up themselves.
The Agriculture Division assists within the help of uneducated farmers. These farmers educate others, and consequently, the bee colonies proceed to develop. Within the final two years, 2,000 colonies have been offered to new beekeepers at a 40% subsidy within the Kulgam district alone.
To make certain, the GI tag is now within the works. Some bee hotspots, akin to Bhalla and Sarthal within the Doda district, that are wealthy in flowering crops, are getting used to advertise Honeybee Tourism. As a result of the beekeeping business necessitates a inexperienced forest space and a big space devoted to flowers, the business is generally concentrated in untouched, naturally plentiful areas. In April, the beekeeping season begins. The Agriculture Division can also be working with apiarists within the Union Territory to standardise their produce so as to promote honey exports. It’s believed that sustaining homogeneous honey varieties will assist within the growth of the Kashmir Model and drive honey export.
The Kashmir Model is already a widely known international model, and the one problem now’s to unite all beekeepers right into a single group and have an advisory board set enterprise targets for them. Beekeeping clusters are being established within the Jammu division beneath the Fund for Regeneration of Conventional Industries (SFURTI) Scheme at a price of Rs 4.08 crore. The scheme, which can profit 600 beekeepers, might be operational by April 2023.
This scheme contains 29 initiatives curated by agricultural scientists to double farmers’ earnings, enhance exports, and make all farming and associated sectors sustainable and commercially viable. It’s anticipated to supply employment alternatives for two.8 lakh younger individuals in 19,000 companies. Apart from the two.5 lakhs, individuals will profit from ability coaching in agri-businesses akin to beekeeping. Greater than 6 lakh bee colonies might be present in Jammu and Kashmir. The UT will quickly witness its first ‘Candy Revolution,’ with the GI tag for honey and the federal government’s futuristic schemes in place.
First printed on: 30 Dec 2022, 22:06 IST
