Shillong, Oct 15: The Executive Director of the National Bee Board, New Delhi, Shri. B L Sarswat today met with Bee Keepers of East Khasi Hills District in the Seminar Hall of the Directorate of Agriculture, Shillong. Also present were Shri. K N Kumar, Chairman of the Meghalaya Farmers’ Empowerment Commission and officers of the Agriculture Department.
The propose of his two day visit is to study the Apiculture scenario in the state and also to technically assist the Agriculture Department in moving forward with the establishment of the Integrated Bee Development Centre (IBDC) in the State, for which an amount of 10 crores has been approved by the Government of India the through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri. B L Sarswat, that the Meghalaya has huge potential in bee keeping, however there is a need to inculcate scientific approach to bee keeping. Along with proper training and management bee keepers can make immense financial benefit from bee keeping. Pointing the importance of bees in the food production and the survival of the human race, Shri. B L Sawrawt urged bee keepers to work with dedication.
Shri. K N Kumar informed that since the launch of the Apiculture Mission in the state, many interventions have been made in the sector. Till date over 7000 bee keepers have been trained and owing to the superior quality of the Meghalaya honey there is a huge demand from markets aboard.
Pointing out that Meghalaya will be the first state in the North East to have an IDBC, he said that the Department is ready to go throttle to establish the Centre, once the technical clearance is granted.
