Palamu Tiger Reserve will train farmers in bee-keeping

Daltonganj: The sweetness of honey is expected to reach the families of Oraon and Kherwar in three villages of the Palamu Tiger Reserve. The new year is set to bring in extra money to the economically backward sections of Henar, Armu and Domakharn.
More than 35 farmers have queued up for training in bee-keeping. Organic honey is found in abundance in the forestry sector of the tiger reserve where insecticides or pesticide are not sprayed on flowering plants.The use of such chemicals is prohibited in the forests. The list of these 35 farmers belonging to the Oraon and Kherwar community has been sent to principal chief conservator of forest Ranchi. The state, however, wants 100 farmers to be trained in bee-keeping, said sources.
Farmers interested in pursuing honey business have two options. They can either go to Jabalpur, which houses the regional office of the National Honey Bee Board or wait for the state government to bring in a trainer from there to the tiger reserve to impart training to the farmers here. The chief conservator of forest territorial in Ranchi circle has been made the nodal officer for this. The news was confirmed by Anil K Mishra, DFO (buffer area) of PTR.
In the buffer area of the tiger reserve, organic honey comes for Rs 100 a kilogram, said Mishra. The agents of indigenous pharma companies come here and collect honey. It is then packed in attractive jars and sold for Rs 300 per kg.
Quizzed about the presence of one honey processing plant in Betla, Mishra said, "As this honey processing plant did not remain much in use in the past, the plant's machine has now been sent for servicing." Once it becomes functional, this plant will be used for processing honey here.
The official informed that Jharcraft is also eager to tap the honey market of the tiger reserve. He said the tiger reserve will have no problems if any MoU is reached between Jharcraft and the farmers who live in the villages of the tiger reserve.
Farmers from Bihar come to the tiger reserve to collect honey. Women of Oraon and Kherwar in Palamu too want to learn how to collect honey, said Mishra.