Workshop on Honey FPOs held in Varanasi; Nafed participates

National Bee Board in collaboration with National Seed Research and Training Centre, Varanasi organized a National Workshop on Role of Agri Start-ups in Honey Value Chain at NSRTC Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh last week.

Beekeepers, honey Startups and FPOs, stakeholders in beekeeping, officials from various Ministries, Government Organizations, State Departments of Horticulture, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), etc participated in the workshop.

Many of the Honey FPOs floated by NAFED also took part in the workshop. In his opening remarks, Dr. N. K. Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture) and Executive Director, NBB briefed about the role of role of Agri Start-ups in Honey Value Chain and talked about the role of National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) and its contribution in the beekeeping sector, including promotion & facilitation for honey startups and FPOs.

He highlighted that implementation of NBHM scheme is also intended to strengthen the infrastructure facilities for honey collection, storage, processing, testing & branding centers, which ultimately enhance the potential of beekeeping in the nation. He invited Honey Startups & FPOs to avail the facilities available under NBHM and adopt beekeeping in a scientific manner to get additional income through honey & other beehive products.

Addressing the participants in the workshop, Dr. Sudhashu Singh, Director, ISARC Varanasi said that promotion and formation of FPOs is the first step for converting Krishi into Atmanirbhar Krishi and for this he assured that implementation of NBHM scheme will bring the revolutionary changes by strengthening the institutional framework in beekeeping sector and information & promotion of Honey startups.

Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi, Additional Secretary said the focus is on nurturing potential budding Agri-startups & FPOs through support under NBHM scheme and motivate them to choose beekeeping as an attractive career.

Start-ups from MANAGE and other states like Tribe Grown Enterprise, Amravati, Maharashtra; Vanabandhu NRMS (OPC) Pvt. Ltd., Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Raghunti Bee Products, Rohtak, Haryana; Madhu Makhi Wala, Barabanki, U.P; Mr. Satish Sharma from Brij Honeyfed FPOs of NAFED; and Mr. Ranjeet Kumar, Innovative Bee Farms Private Limited shared their experience and explained about their products being marketed in the country.

They also highlighted the importance of Honey Value Chain being created by various stakeholders. These startups are promoting honey sector by Queen breeding, comb, raw honey production and food supplement of bee pollen.