SRINAGAR: A one week training programme on “Beekeeping for Livelihood Security” under Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) in association with State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI) and National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE) commenced on December 13, 2021 at Division of Entomology, FoA, Wadura Sopore, SKUAST-K. In the training program 28 unemployed youth from district Kupwara have been registered. The training shall be aimed at development of skill on different aspects of beekeeping. The course content and the selection of subject matter experts have been designed for deliberations on various topics related to different rearing techniques of honey bees, management of their pests and diseases, queen rearing techniques, swarm management, principles and practises of migration and harvesting/processing of honey. The trainees shall further be given technical knowledge about the ecosystem services of bees and their role in pollination particularly of horticultural crops.
The training was inaugurated by Prof. Dil Mohammad Makhdoomi, Director Extension, SKUAST-K. He emphasised on importance of beekeeping in achieving food security and sustainable development goals. He stressed upon trainees to adopt beekeeping as an enterprise for their livelihood security. He also highlighted the importance of such trainings to help in skill development of unemployed youth that can become a source of income for them. Prof. A.H. Hakeem, Dean Faculty of Agriculture, who was the guest of honour on the occasion acknowledged that the youth have sufficient potential for self-reliance.
He emphasized scientists must engage themselves in conducting more and more such trainings in future for self sustenance of rural youth. The guests and trainees were formally welcome by Dr. Munazah Yaqoob, Associate professor, Division of Entomology, who also briefed about the training program. The vote of thanks was presented by Prof. M.A. Mantoo, Head Division of Entomology to all the participants.

KR Desk