A five-day vocational training programme on Beekeeping, under the National Horticulture Mission, was successfully conducted from March 5-11, 2025, at Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Fatehgarh Sahib. The training aimed to equip 40 farmers, farm women, and young entrepreneurs with practical skills and knowledge to establish beekeeping as a profitable self-employment venture.
Dr. Vipan Kumar Rampal, Associate Director (Training), KVK Fatehgarh Sahib, inaugurated the training and introduced participants to the KVK’s initiatives in skill development and agribusiness promotion. He emphasised the economic potential of beekeeping and its role in enhancing farm incomes.
Mrs. Reet Verma, Assistant Professor (Plant Protection), delivered comprehensive sessions on bee biology, classification, life cycle, division of labor, beekeeping equipment, seasonal hive management, bee flora, pest and disease management, and colony expansion strategies. She also conducted practical demonstrations on hive inspection, artificial sugar and pollen feeding, and parasitic mite control techniques. She advised beginners to start with 10-15 colonies and gradually expand their beekeeping enterprises.
Shri Kulwinder Singh, a progressive beekeeper, provided insights on honey packaging, labelling, and obtaining an FSSAI license to ensure compliance with quality standards.
Dr. Rampal also announced that participants would receive certificates from Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), making them eligible for a 40% subsidy under the National Horticulture Mission—a significant incentive for aspiring beekeepers.
The training culminated in an exposure visit to Tiwana Bee Farm, Doraha, where Mr. Jaswant Singh Tiwana, a renowned beekeeper, shared his journey and success strategies in beekeeping. Participants explored the honey processing unit, beekeeping equipment manufacturing facility, and hive management techniques, gaining hands-on experience from an industry expert.
