Early Times Report
JAMMU, May 20: The Division of Entomology, SKUAST-Jammu, under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Honeybee and Pollinators, celebrated World Honeybee Day with great enthusiasm at the university's Chatha campus. The event was held under the esteemed guidance of the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor and the Director of Research, SKUAST-Jammu, with the aim of raising awareness about the vital role of honeybees in agriculture and ecosystem health.
The program witnessed the participation of progressive beekeepers, farmers, and unemployed youth from across the Jammu region, who gathered to learn about the opportunities and benefits of scientific beekeeping.
Dr. R.K. Gupta, Professor and Head of the Division of Entomology, highlighted the significance of honeybees in enhancing crop productivity through pollination, while also serving as a sustainable source of income through honey and other hive products like royal jelly, bee pollen, propolis, and beeswax. He emphasized beekeeping as an important livelihood option for rural communities.
Dr. R.S. Bandral, Professor, encouraged farmers to adopt beekeeping as a supplementary income-generating activity, stressing the need for scientific practices to boost honey production and ensure the health of bee colonies.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Devinder Sharma, Principal Investigator, AICRP Honeybee and Pollinators, underscored the global importance of World Bee Day, celebrated on May 20 under the theme "Bee Inspired by Nature to Nourish Us All." He elaborated on the critical role of bees in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and food security, noting that pollinators contribute to 35% of global crop production, supporting 87 of the 115 major food crops.
Dr. Sharma also highlighted the immense potential of Jammu and Kashmir as a hub for both stationary and migratory beekeeping due to its favorable climate and diverse flora. He noted that beekeeping has the potential to generate over one lakh employment opportunities across the region.
Progressive beekeepers Sh. Naresh Sharma and Sh. Bharat Kumar shared their success stories and practical insights with participants, encouraging wider adoption of beekeeping.
An interactive session between farmers/beekeepers and scientists was also held, where experts including Dr. Kamlesh Bali, Dr. Magdeshwar Sharma, and Dr. Uma Shankar provided on-the-spot solutions to issues faced by practitioners.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Magdeshwar Sharma, with participants expressing appreciation for the informative session and requesting similar awareness programs in the future. |
