Srinagar: A three (03) Days Training Programme w.e.f 20-22nd of September was inaugurated at Mountain Agriculture Research and Extension Station (MAR&ES) Izmarg Gurez on “Handling and Managing Bee Colonies” to unemployed youth/tribal men and women of Gurez under NBHM Project entitled “Potential of Research Studies in Beekeeping under Low Temperature Conditions of Gurez, Bandipora Kashmir sponsored by National Bee Board (NBB) MoA & FW, Govt. of India organized by Research and Training Centre for Pollinators Pollinizers and Pollination Management (RTCPPPM), Division of Entomology, SKUAST-K, Shalimar in collaboration with KVK-II Bandipora, Gurez and MAR&ES Izmarg Gurez.
Prof. M.A. Mantoo, Head Division of Entomology, FoA, Wadura who was the Chief Guest of the occasion in his inaugural address to participants emphasized the importance of honey bees and their role in pollination and maintenance of biodiversity.
The Principal Investigator of the project, Dr. Parveena Bano urged the participants/trainees to take up beekeeping and stressed upon the importance and benefits of honey bees in enhancing production and productivity of Agricultural/ Horticultural crops through cross pollination. She also briefed the trainees about the market value of honey and other bee hive products. The Welcome Address was presented by Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat, Programme Coordinator & Head KVK Bandipora II and MAR&ES Izmarg Gurez and Vote of Thanks was presented by Dr. Waseem Ali Dar who thanked the dignitaries present on the dais and especially the trainees who came from far flung areas of Gurez. He also thanked the National Bee Board (NBB) for funding the project. Other Scientists present on the occasion were Dr. Rizwana Khurshid and Dr. Ishtiyaq Ahad and non teaching staff of the Pollination Centre and MAR&ES Gurez.

KR Desk