Arunachal focuses on apiculture to uplift farmer income: Bidol Tayeng

A CORRESPONDENT

NAHARLAGUN: Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture and Horticulture Secretary Bidol Tayeng on Wednesday said that the State government is contemplating to uplift the economy of farmers through apiculture.

Speaking on the occasion of World Honey Bee Day celebration here at the conference hall of Directorate of Agriculture, Tayeng asserted that the bees play a significant role in the ecosystem and help to enhance farmer's economy .

"Though small in size, the bees play an important role in plant pollination and help the farmers in generating income by producing honey. So, it has become very essential for us to observe the day," he said.

The secretary also said that the honey keepers in the State are selling pure and organic honey without any adulteration and urged the farmers to maintain the same tempo in the long run.

Informing that keeping bees will help in producing more agriculture and horticulture crops in the State, Tayeng called for proper coordination among the officials of Agriculture, Horticulture, APKVIB, bank, etc., to help the farmers.

He also stressed for prioritising market linkage for honey growers.

Arunachal Pradesh Bee & Honey Mission (APBHM) Director TD Neeckom revealed that as a mission mode, the department has successfully helped many farmers to grow honey in Changlang, Papum Pare and East Siang districts. He said the APBHM shall extent its activities in seven more notified districts.

Informing that the sole motive of the mission is only to enhance farmers economy, the mission director said the APBHM is emphasizing on three mini mission including sensitisation and capacity building, entrepreneurs hip development and forward linkage.

He also stressed on identification and development of artificial queen through insemination, organizing trainers training and development of honey bee production centre.

Agriculture Director Anong Lego said the day is being celebrated to encourage the honeybee growers which will help them to generate income in the long run.

Lego also said the department is looking forward to help more farmers in coming days to practise apiculture.

Apex Bank General Manager T Wangdi said credit link policy need to be taken up by the agriculture department in collaboration with the Apex Bank to help the farmers.

He also suggested for providing honey boxes to the farmers to keep in their respective farms in order to enhance the apiculture.

Director Agriculture Marketing Tadu Game, ADO and APBHM member Techi Taura and APAMB CEO Okit Palling also spoke.