Jammu and Kashmir is witnessing 'Sweet Revolution'

Through the apiculture development schemes of the current dispensation in the Union Territory, beekeepers are processing crude honey in government facilities for free. For standardisation, small-time keepers are also offered the service of honey testing and logo stamping for better returns in the market. These processing units are a one-stop-solution to reducing the moisture of honey, filter, and bottle it, reports ANI.

To increase their earnings manifold, new-age agripreneurs are making value additions to honey by making products such as soaps, candles, cosmetics, Ayurvedic medicines, etc. which are in high demand in the Indian market. As a result, consumers have been switching to non-toxic, organic products, free from health hazards, presenting a big opportunity for the youth to start a profitable venture, the Indian news agency reported.

Considering the growing popularity of White Honey from Ramban, the Apiculture department is working to promote the autumn produce of the district under the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme.

The medicinal properties of the White Honey is also high.

Beekeeping, which requires less land and almost zero setup cost, is tipped to go a long way in helping realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to double the farmers’ income if farmers and landowners embrace this as a non-competitive and off-the-farm activity. The climatic condition of J&K allows plenty of flora throughout the year, making it the best destination for this activity, reports ANI.

Under India’s National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), beneficiaries are being given bee boxes, live bee colonies, tool kits and training to establish themselves. The Agriculture department lends a hand in supporting uneducated farmers. These farmers further teach others as a result of which the bee colonies keep multiplying.

So far, 2,000 colonies have been provided to new beekeepers in the last two years at a 40 per cent subsidy in Kulgam district alone. With appropriate scientific interventions, Kulgam is generating 480 quintals of honey every year with a turnover of Rs 3 crore.