Srinagar: On the occasion of World Bee Day, Narinder Singh Tomar,Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India inaugurated a Honey Testing Laboratory constructed at a cost of Rs.1.3 crore at KrishiVigyan Kendra Malangpora, Awantipora Pulwama, through virtual mode. On the occasion Vice-Chancellor SKUAST-K Prof. Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Inspector General, BSF Raja Babu Singh, Director Planning SKUAST-K, Dr. Haroon R. Naik, other officers and a good number of farmers were also present.
During the program, Narendra Singh Tomar, interact with beekeeping farmers and assured all possible help to them. High lighting the world bee day, the experts elaborated the importance of Beekeeping and its benefits. They said that more and more people should come forward to adopt this profession so that the country will be on the path of development. Valley apiaries director Mr. Noor Mohammad was also present on the occasion.
The vice Chancellor SKUAST. K. Prof. Nazir Ahmed Ganai appreciated the efforts of IG BSF Kashmir Frontier Raja Babu Singh for extending their help in reaching out to the farmers of far-flung areas of the valley. He emphasized upon all for preparation of a roadmap and adoption of a holistic approach for up scaling the production of honey and other bee hive products that have a potential in bringing maximum benefits to the farming community.He said establishment of such hi-tech labs will ensure quality control checks of honey and honey products, which will make it easy for producers to go for value addition and branding, thereby guaranteeing better returns.
Later Raja Babu Singh lauded the efforts of SKUAST Kashmirits endeavors for percolation of technical knowhow and new agri-technologies to the gross roots level, especially in far-flung areas. Such measures will improve the quality of life of people in the country side significantly, he said. He stressed for protecting the virgin soils of these areas for promotion of organic farming so that the people are able to harness maximum benefits out of their limited land holdings.

KR Desk