Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kapurthala, took a significant step in promoting beekeeping as a subsidiary occupation by organizing a comprehensive five-day vocational training course titled “Introductory Beekeeping Course from October 23, 2023, to October 30, 2023. The event saw active participation from 13 individuals representing various villages in the Kapurthala and Jalandhar regions.
Dr Harinder Singh, Associate Director (Training) at KVK Kapurthala, emphasized the importance of beekeeping as a supplementary source of livelihood. He encouraged participants to embrace small-scale beekeeping, which not only caters to domestic honey needs but also serves as a lucrative enterprise. Dr Singh particularly encouraged women trainees by citing examples of successful women beekeepers thriving in the Bathinda and Faridkot areas.
At the outset, a pre-test was conducted to gauge the participants’ basic knowledge levels. Subsequently, Dr Suman Kumari, Assistant Professor (Plant Protection), discussed the identification of different honey bee species, seasonal management techniques, handling insect pests and diseases related to honey bees, honey extraction methods, the economics of beekeeping, and the significance of migration.
In addition to theoretical knowledge, trainees were provided with practical demonstrations, offering hands-on experience in opening beehives and providing necessary care, especially during challenging seasons. Miss Manpreet Kaur, a Horticulture Development Officer, discussed various state government schemes and subsidies for beekeeping, empowering trainees with knowledge on financial support avenues.
Throughout the training, participants engaged in vibrant discussions with experts, delving into various aspects of beekeeping. They also desired advanced training opportunities to refine their beekeeping skills further and potentially scale up their operations to a commercial level. The training culminated with a post-test, where participants were evaluated based on their newly acquired knowledge and skills.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=8320
