The Department of Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare on Thursday hosted a two-day Seminar-cum-Awareness Program on Beekeeping here in the Auditorium, Government Degree College (GDC), under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM).
The program, being conducted under the close supervision of Deputy Commissioner Rajesh Kumar Shavan, aims to promote beekeeping as a viable avenue for livelihood generation and agricultural enhancement.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Pawan Kotwal, inaugurated the program as the Chief Guest.
In his address, he emphasized the importance of beekeeping in boosting agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and rural entrepreneurship.
Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO) Amjad Hussain Malik, along with experts in apiculture, provided insights into modern beekeeping techniques, government schemes and financial assistance available under NBHM.
Incharge KVK, along with various resource persons and Krishi Udyamis, delivered expert lectures on bee-keeping.
Farmers, entrepreneurs and aspiring beekeepers from across the district, especially from Block Drabshalla, actively participated in the program, sharing valuable knowledge on scientific beekeeping, honey production, value addition and lauded the efforts of Agriculture Department Kishtwar in providing various schemes related to Bee-keeping and other schemes in the District.
The seminar aims to create awareness about the crucial role of bees in pollination and ecological balance while encouraging farmers to adopt beekeeping as an additional source of income.
The program will continue on February 14, 2025, featuring interactive sessions, live demonstrations, and expert guidance.
The event was attended by CHO Kishtwar Sajid Mustafa, DSHO Kishtwar Dr. Jameel Nasir, LDM Kishtwar Harsh Rawal, DAO Kishtwar, and staff from the Agriculture and Horticulture Departments, among others.