SRINAGAR, MARCH 13: In a significant initiative to promote beekeeping as a viable livelihood option and equip beekeepers with the latest scientific practices, the Directorate of Agriculture Kashmir Friday launched a comprehensive seven-day training program on Scientific Beekeeping across the Kashmir Valley.
The program, as per an official statement, was inaugurated by Director Agriculture Kashmir, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, at Directorate hall Lalmandi Srinagar. The training at Lalmandi serves the central districts, while parallel sessions are being conducted for North Kashmir at the Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, and for South Kashmir at the DAK Bungalow, Anantnag.
The training aims to acquaint existing and aspiring beekeepers with modern, scientific methods of apiculture, including colony management, disease prevention, honey extraction techniques, value addition of hive products, and strategies to enhance pollination services for better crop yields, particularly in oilseed and horticultural crops.
Sartaj Ahmad Shah, while inaugurating the program at Lalmandi, emphasized the importance of scientific beekeeping in boosting rural economies, generating employment opportunities, and supporting sustainable agriculture in the region. He highlighted that beekeeping not only provides additional income to farmers but also plays a crucial role in enhancing biodiversity and agricultural productivity through improved pollination.
The seven-day program features expert-led sessions, practical demonstrations, and interactive discussions covering all aspects of modern beekeeping practices tailored to the agro-climatic conditions of Kashmir. Participants include progressive farmers, youth entrepreneurs, and established beekeepers from various districts of the Valley.
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to diversify agricultural activities, promote allied sectors, and empower rural communities under various developmental schemes.
The Directorate of Agriculture Kashmir invites interested beekeepers and stakeholders to actively participate and benefit from this capacity-building effort.
