Port Blair, June 30: Exploring the vast potential for Bee keeping, weeklong hands on training on ‘Training on Manufacturing of Bee Hive Boxes’ was imparted to the Officials of Agriculture Department, Diglipur for their skill development at the Carpentry Section of the Industries Extension Office, Diglipur from June 24 to 29, 2024.

About Seven Regular Mazdoors and two Industries Trainees of Diglipur zone were imparted hands on training on how to prepare bee hive boxes by the Zonal Team of Industries Department. The trainees successfully manufactured 4 bee hive boxes during the training period.

Honey Bees plays a vital role in agriculture by helping in pollination of crops specially the cross pollinated crops, thereby increasing the production and productivity of crops. In addition, it provides extra income to the farmers through honey and natural wax, adding nutrition and income in their life. As such, this training shall play a crucial role on further promoting Bee keeping among farmers in Diglipur Zone.

Farmers can adopt bee keeping as subsidiary occupation which can provide livelihood support to them. To popularize bee keeping among farmers, financial assistance of Rs. 800/- per Bee Hive (40% of the cost limited to 50 Bee Hives per beneficiary) and Rs. 800/- per Bee colony (40% of the cost limited to 50 Bee Colonies per beneficiary), Rs 8000/- per set (40% of the cost limited to one set per beneficiary) of Bee keeping equipment including honey extractor (4 frames), food grade container (30 kg), net, mask etc. is being provided under National Horticulture Mission of High Value Agriculture – ‘Pollination support through bee keeping’ by the Department of Agriculture.