Haryana aims to raise honey production to 15,500 MT by 2030: CM

Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Wednesday that the state govt had formulated a dedicated ‘Beekeeping Policy' to promote apiculture and increase honey production in the state.Addressing an event organised by the horticulture department to mark World Bee Day, Saini said the state aimed to raise the number of beekeepers to 7,750 and boost honey production to 15,500 metric tonnes by 2030.The event was held at Red Bishop Convention Centre here.Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of moving from the "White Revolution" to the "Sweet Revolution", the CM said beekeeping had emerged as a strong pillar of employment generation and rural economy. He said the govt was providing subsidies of up to 85% on bee boxes, bee colonies and equipment to encourage farmers to adopt the activity.Saini highlighted that beekeeping had been included in the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, under which honey producers were assured a protected price of Rs 120 per kg.He also released Rs 1.02 crore as incentive assistance to 30 farmers under the scheme. The govt has also decided to include beekeeping under the Mukhya Mantri Bagwani Bima Yojana to safeguard beekeepers against losses caused by natural disasters, Saini added.Emphasising Haryana's progress in the field, the CM said more than 3,000 beekeepers from the state were registered on the national ‘Madhukranti' portal, placing the state at the top of the podium in the country as far as registrations were concerned.He added that the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre at Ramnagar in Kurukshetra, established with Israeli technology, had facilitated the trading of nearly 800 tonnes of honey so far.The CM also honoured 11 progressive beekeepers with incentives and certificates during the event.MSID:: 131228116 413 |