Training Programme on “Entrepreneurship in Beekeeping for Honey Production” to Scheduled Castes farmers under ICAR - SCSP at Agricultural College, Jagtial on 21-09-2022

Beekeeping has several benefits for the farmers and the economy and the environment in general. Through pollination support, it increases the quality and quantity of produce such as fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, pulses, etc. It helps in the sustainable development of the environment and agriculture. It aids in maintaining biodiversity. It is an important input in agriculture and is a low-cost technology. It is a source of livelihood and generates employment. It helps in improving the incomes of the farmers and bettering their standard of living. Bees are very important for the environment since if there are no bees, there is no pollination, which is essential for the production of more plants, and hence animals and consequently life on earth itself. Increasing the number of bee colonies will not only increase the production of bee related products but will boost overall agricultural and horticultural productivity. In view of this One day training programme on “Entrepreneurship in Bee Keeping for Honey Production” was conducted under ICAR- Scheduled Castes Sub Plan at Agricultural College, Jagtial on 21st September, 2022. Forty trainees (40 Nos.) were farmers and rural youth of Pembi mandal of Nirmal district and Thippanapet and Veldurthi villages of Jagtial district. Dr. S. Narender Reddy, Associate Dean emphasized that beekeeping can help in improving agricultural productivity, enhancing employment generation, augmenting nutritional security and sustaining biodiversity. Dr. V. Ratnakar, Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology and Coordinator of training programme created awareness on different honeybees, their lifecycle, equipments used for beekeeping and management of bee hives in different seasons. Trainees have visited beehives installed in the fields and gained hands on experience on beekeeping. Feedback was taken from trainees and expressed their satisfaction for successful learning. Brief information about training programme was given to print media for coverage. Mrs. R. Sushmadevi, Assistant Professor and incharge of SCSP, Mahendhar, Sarpanch of Itikyal village of Pembi mandal and final year undergraduates also participated in the programme.