Scientific Bee keeping Training Organized by Agriculture Department at Madhupur Gram Panchayat, Diglipur on 16th & 17th July 2025

Sri Vijaya Puram, July 17: The Zonal Agriculture Office, Diglipur, Department of Agriculture, A & N Administration in collaboration with the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) of the National Bee Board, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India, organized a two-day training programme on “Scientific Beekeeping” at Madhupur Gram Panchayat on 16^th and 17^th July 2025 to encourage local farmers to adopt modern beekeeping practices as a supplementary income source and also increase the productivity of the crop. The initiative is aimed at empowering farmers and Self-Help Group (SHG) members of Madhupur Gram Panchayat with technical knowledge and practical skills in apiculture practices.

The inaugural session on 16^th July 2025 was graced by MR. Rabin Mondal, Up-Pradhan, Madhupur Panchayat, as the Chief Guest. In his inaugural address, he lauded the proactive efforts of the Agriculture Department in promoting scientific beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood option as the program represents a significant step toward Sustainable Agriculture, promising improved livelihoods for farming communities while supporting ecological balance through enhanced pollination services.

1. Ranjit Paul, Sarpanch, in his address encouraged the farmers to adopt beekeeping as beekeeping requires minimal space and complements existing farming activities perfectly. It’s an ideal solution for small and marginal farmers seeking additional income. He urged the participants to adopt beekeeping and avail the benefits extended under the National Horticulture Mission under MIDH scheme.

Earlier, Mrs. Arti Singh, Assistant Director (Agri), Diglipur, welcomed the participants and briefed about the objectives of the training, which is to promote beekeeping as a viable and eco-friendly livelihood option, while enhancing crop productivity through improved pollination support.

The inaugural session was followed by a series of technical presentations that were delivered by subject matter experts from The Department of Agriculture. Mrs. Arti Singh, Assistant Director (Agri), highlighted the multifaceted importance of beekeeping, emphasizing the importance of honey bees, as they are not only important for honey production but also for its critical role in enhancing agricultural yields through pollination. She further emphasized that scientific beekeeping could generate additional income and with proper training, farmers can maintain 10-15 colonies alongside their regular crops easily.

Mrs. Seena Pillai, Agriculture Officer, explained the Communication Behavior of Honeybees and procedures for assembling and installation of bee hives. MR. Riktik Baroi, Junior Agriculture Assistant, spoke on Bee Health Management, disease control measures and sustainable beekeeping practices. He also provided key insights into the systematic management of bee colonies.

An interactive session was also conducted in which participants actively got involved and took expert advice on establishing and managing beekeeping activities in their fields. In addition, beekeeping equipment was displayed including bee hive boxes, appliances and protective gear. The practical utility of each item was explained to the participants in detail.

On 17^th July 2025, the second day of the programme, a field visit to Soil Conservation-cum-Spices Demonstration Farm, V.S. Pally, was organized. The participants received Hands-on training on scientific rearing of honey bee with special emphasis on establishing new box, its maintenance, honey harvesting and its extraction. A total of 30 participants, comprising progressive farmers and SHG members, attended the programme and actively engaged in the discussions and demonstrations.

Similar programmes were organized for the farmers/SHG Members in the following Panchayats as well:

Altogether, 7 training programmes have been conducted in 7 Gram Panchayats w.e.f 25^th June 2025 to 17^th July 2025, benefiting 210 farmers/SHG members.

All the interested farmers from the rest of the Gram Panchayats of Diglipur Tehsil are further invited to register themselves for the 2^nd phase of training by contacting their nearest Agriculture sub-depot.

To take up Bee keeping activity in their farm, Bee Hive Boxes with accessories are available in all Agriculture Sub-depots of Diglipur Tehsil. Interested farmers can procure these units and claim subsidies under the High Value Agriculture scheme.