Diplomat Correspondent
Ramban, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mohammad Alyas Khan today inaugurated a seven days training programme on ‘Scientific Beekeeping and Honey Value Addition’ in district Ramban with the aim to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities for farmers, youth and Self Help Groups in the district.
The programme was organized by the Centre for Agriculture and Rural Development (CARD) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Ramban and sponsored by Jammu & Kashmir Bank under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to boost GI-Tagged Sulai Honey Production and Rural Livelihoods Ramban.
Guests of Honour, J&K Bank Branch Manager, Ramban, S.K. Chauhan and Chief Agriculture Officer, Ramban Dr. Vinay Kumar Jandial, Nodal Officer CARD M S Khan, District Agriculture Officer, Kuldeep Bassan, SMS (DL), Jyoti Parkash, SDAO Ramban, Ayaz Ahmed Reshi and exports Agriculture Department and 35 enthusiastic rural youth participants attended the vibrant ceremony.
In his address, the Deputy Commissioner highlighted the immense potential of Ramban’s famous GI-tagged Sulai Honey, recently mentioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme. He noted how the unique white-coloured honey, derived from wild basil (Sulai) flowers in the hilly terrains of Ramban, has gained national recognition post its GI tag, opening new avenues for exports and economic growth. He emphasized that this training will further strengthen the local beekeeping ecosystem, create self-employment opportunities, and contribute to doubling farmers’ income in line with national priorities like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission.
The week-long programme includes classroom sessions and hands-on training, exposure visits, and beekeeping handy kits, enabling them to establish sustainable honey ventures. Participants will learn about honeybee species and behaviour, apiary site selection, seasonal colony management, market prospects and more.
J&K Bank, Branch Manager, Ramban, reiterated the bank’s commitment to CSR initiatives focused on rural upliftment and sustainable livelihoods.
Meanwhile, the Chief Agriculture Officer, Ramban stressed the role of scientific practices in enhancing honey yield and quality, assuring full technical support from the Agriculture Department. He highlighted the initiatives taken by the Agriculture Department for promotion of apiculture in the district, with special emphasis on GI-tagged Sulai Honey, income enhancement and employment generation.DD