CHANDIGARH (SATISH HANDA): Haryana government has announced to promote non-traditional beekeeping industry in the state to increase honey production in much demand not only in the country as well in export markets. Horticulture Department in the state has been advised to bring awareness among people, especially youths and farmers to provide them assistance under self-employment scheme. Haryana government has announced to increase amount of subsidy on beekeeping up to 85% from 40% at present to attract unemployed youths as well as farmers to start beekeeping. Dr Arjun Singh Saini Director General Horticulture Department. told that Haryana is the only state providing huge amount towards subsidy on this lucrative business having worldwide demand and those willing to start beekeeping farming may contact Horticulture Officers in every district or seek assistance from Deputy Director, Integrated  Beekeeping Development Centre at Ram Nagar Kurukshetra for assistance where there is provision for honey processing also.

Very few farmers know that beekeeping is crops friendly, do not harm crops but promote its growth if bee boxes are kept in agriculture farms and in case of ‘Sarson’ crop production increases three to four quintal each acre area if bee boxes are placed near the crop as such the quantity of Sulphur in mustard oil too increases nearly 10%. Saini told that complete technical know how and bee boxes are readily available at Integrated Bee Keeping   Development Centre Kurukshetra, whereas Department of Horticulture in the state make available bees from authorized bee breeders. He told that between 50000 to 60000 bees can be accommodated in a box capable to produce nearly a quintal honey.

According to information, nearly 33% subsidy is being provided by the state government for a bee breeder project requiring investment up to Rs 12.50 lakh, subsidy worth Rs 24000 is provided by the government on purchase of 50 bee boxes, 50% subsidy is available by the government on purchase of instruments required for beekeeping business, Rs 50 per bee box subsidy is provided towards expenses for bee production, there is provision for subsidy worth Rs 50000 towards setting up a project for training to females and start beekeeping business, subsidy worth Rs  8  lakh provided by the government for setting up an industry to manufacture instruments required for beekeeping usually requiring investment worth Rs 20 lakh, 33% subsidy is available by the state government to developing a customer hiring centre, 50% subsidy is provided by the government to develop a bees and honey storage centre and 50% subsidy for developing a testing laboratory likely to cost worth Rs 1 crore.