Odisha News Times News Of Odisha For Odisha
New Delhi;19/5/22:The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare (MoA&FW), Government of India is celebrating World Bee Day on 20th May 2022 at Tent City -II, Ekta Nagar, Narmada, Gujarat. The UN General Assembly declared 20th May as World Bee Day in order to create awareness of the pivotal role of bees and other pollinators in keeping people and the planet healthy and address many challenges in this context. Keeping this in view, the MoA&FW is celebrating this significant day by bringing all Beekeepers of the country, to a single platform.
The World Bee Day celebration would be graced by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in the august presence of Shri Kailash Choudhary and Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Agriculture Minister, Govt. of Gujarat, Sushri Mateja Vodeb, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia, Sushri Konda Reddy Chavva, FAO representative of India, host of senior officers of MoA&FW, GOI and Government of Gujarat. As many as 1000 farmers/beekeepers/processors/entrepreneurs and all stakeholders associated with honey production are expected to attend the programme.
During the World Bee Day celebration, an Exhibition with over 20 stalls will be set up by Beekeepers, processors and different stakeholders of the beekeeping sector to showcase the diverse varieties of honey bee and different products in beekeeping sector. A stall will also be set up by the Indian Bank, the implementing agency for Madhukranti Portal to do a life Registration drive for Beekeepers in the Madhukranti Portal during the programme.
Technical sessions on “Production Technology and Research & Development of Scientific Beekeeping – Experience Sharing and Challenges” and “Marketing Challenges and Solutions (Domestic/ Global) & Discussion” will also be organised to upgrade the scientific knowledge of beekeeping among the farmers/beekeepers.
The programme is aimed at promoting and popularizing beekeeping nationwide National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) of the Govt. of India under Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. The NBHM is implemented through the National Bee Board for overall promotion of scientific beekeeping & entrepreneurship among small & marginal farmers, infrastructure development for postharvest management and support for research & development and to achieve the goal of “Sweet Revolution”.
The diversified agro-climatic conditions of India provide great potential for beekeeping/ honey production. India is producing about 1,25,000 Metric Tonnes (MTs) of Honey as per 2021-22- 3rd Advanced Estimate. India has exported 59,999.24 MT of Natural Honey to the world worth Rs. 716 crore (US $ 96.77 million) during 2020-21. Major Export Destinations in 2020-21 were USA, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Canada, Qatar, Nepal, Morocco, Yemen & Kuwait. The scientific technology being adopted for increasing production and testing of honey by maintaining quality standards for national and international markets and promoting the production of other beehive products viz.; bee pollen, bees wax, royal jelly, propolis & bee venom. This has facilitated the beekeepers to increase their income and address to the greater demand of honey and beehSive products both in the domestic and international markets.
Bees are renowned for their role in providing high-quality food and other products used in healthcare and other sectors but the work of bees entails much more. The greatest contribution of bees and other pollinators is the pollination of nearly three-quarters of the plants that produce 90% of the world’s food. Effective pollination increases the yield of agricultural produce and improves its quality. Beekeeping in India is thus an important agri-business activity that not only promises good returns to the farmers but also helps increase agricultural productivity leading to food and nutritional security in the country.
