Chandigarh, May 20 (PTI) Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said the Haryana government aims to increase honey production to 15,500 metric tonnes by 2030 under its beekeeping policy.
He was addressing
beekeepers at an event organised by the Haryana Horticulture Department in Panchkula on the occasion of 'World Bee Day'.
Earlier, the chief minister visited stalls showcasing honey and honey-based products set up by beekeepers from various parts of the state.
Extending his greetings on World Bee Day, Saini said the state government is fully committed to implementing beekeeping initiatives effectively at the grassroots level.
Highlighting the immense potential of the sector, he said several schemes have been launched to promote beekeeping. At present, beekeepers are being provided subsidies of up to 85 per cent on bee boxes, bee colonies, and essential equipment.
The chief minister said Haryana currently produces around 5,000 metric tons of honey. The target is to raise honey production to 15,500 metric tonnes by 2030.
He further said that to protect farmers engaged in beekeeping from uncertainties and market fluctuations, the Haryana government has included beekeeping under the 'Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana'.
Under the scheme, a protected price of Rs 120 per kilogram has been fixed for honey. As a result, farmers no longer face the fear of losses and are assured of a guaranteed income, he added.
On the occasion, the chief minister released an incentive amount of Rs 1.02 crore into the accounts of 30 farmers under the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana.
He also stated that a decision has been taken to include beekeeping under the Mukhya Mantri Bagwani Bima Yojna to safeguard beekeepers against losses caused by natural disasters.
He further said that more than 3,000 beekeepers from Haryana are registered on the National 'Madhukranti' Portal, with the state currently ranking first in the country in terms of beekeeper registrations.
He emphasised that the government has identified horticulture, including beekeeping, as a key pillar of agricultural diversification. In 2014, the area under horticulture in the state was 1,17,000 acres. Today, it has more than doubled to 2,73,000 acres.
In Haryana, young entrepreneurs can enhance their income and help create a distinct identity for the state by launching honey-based startups and brands.
To support this initiative, the Haryana government will provide financial assistance and technical guidance with the objective of developing Haryana into a "Honey Hub".
He also remarked that World Bee Day is dedicated to celebrating a tiny creature that symbolises a monumental effort toward preserving life on earth.
He said scientists have repeatedly warned humanity that if bees were to become extinct, life itself would be in danger. To raise global awareness about this critical issue, World Bee Day is observed every year on May 20.
The chief minister said that honey and bees hold special significance in the Vedas, Puranas, and Indian culture. In the Rigveda, honey has been described as a symbol of prosperity, purity, and good health.
He said that bees are not merely protectors of nature but also form the backbone of the agricultural economy.
Saini said that at a time when the world is confronting challenges such as climate change, environmental pollution, and food security, the importance of bees has become even more significant.
He expressed concern that the bee population is steadily declining due to the excessive use of pesticides, pollution, deforestation, and climate change.
Appealing to the farming community, the chief minister urged farmers to adopt beekeeping, alongside the cultivation of crops such as mustard, sunflower, cotton, berseem, fruits, and vegetables.
He said that this would not only increase honey production but also enhance crop yields through cross-pollination by bees.
He said that the importance of honeybees is not confined to agriculture alone.
In recent years, beekeeping has emerged as a strong pillar of employment generation and the rural economy. Requiring minimal investment, land, and resources, this enterprise is providing livelihoods to lakhs of people, he said.
Saini said that the state government is making continuous efforts to promote beekeeping.
To facilitate commercial-scale beekeeping operations, an Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre, based on Israeli technology, has been established at Ramnagar in Kurukshetra.
The centre provides beekeeping training to farmers and also houses a honey trading centre. Nearly 800 tons of honey have been traded through the facility. In addition, the centre offers training in honey extraction, storage, processing, and marketing at both national and international levels.
On this occasion, Saini honoured 11 progressive beekeepers by presenting each with an incentive of Rs 11,000 along with a certificate of appreciation. PTI SUN BAL
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