Lucknow: A one-day seminar focusing on the Honey Expo, Buyer-Seller Meet, and Beekeeping was held at the auditorium of Udyan Bhawan, sponsored by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). The event brought together farmers, buyers, and industry leaders to discuss the future of honey production, processing, and marketing in Uttar Pradesh.
Key Highlights of the Seminar:
- Government Support for Beekeeping:
- Chief Guest Mr. B.L. Meena, Additional Chief Secretary (Horticulture), highlighted the Uttar Pradesh Government’s horticulture schemes designed to support farmers in processing, production, and entrepreneurship related to honey and beekeeping.
- Meena motivated farmers to expand honey production and assured them of government support in marketing their produce.
- Quality Assurance by CFTRI:
- Vijay Bahadur Dwivedi, Director of the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), emphasized ensuring the quality of honey produced by farmers and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
- CFTRI will certify honey through the Quality Council of India (QCI) and assist in meeting international quality specifications to enhance export potential.
- International Buyer Interest:
- Ahmed Rhyas, a buyer from Sri Lanka, expressed confidence in the quality of honey produced in Uttar Pradesh and assured significant imports from the state. This development marks a promising step toward boosting honey exports.
- Industry Collaboration:
- Companies like ESS PEE Products and Honey Veda pledged full support to the Uttar Pradesh Government’s initiative and committed to sourcing honey directly from local producers.
- Mukesh Singh, Chairman of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, discussed creating linkages between industry and beekeeping farmers. He emphasized capacity building, training, and harvesting techniques to enhance production.
- Networking Opportunities:
- The seminar provided a platform for buyers and vendors to interact and share insights on technology updates and business opportunities in beekeeping. This networking is expected to strengthen business relationships and promote the beekeeping industry.
- Technical Session:
- Harish, Director of Rfrak, and Mr. Anupam from Agmark, shared information about new beekeeping techniques, benefiting over 200 participating beekeepers.
- Stalls set up by organizations like KVIC, Agmark, FSSAI, CFTRI, and companies like ESS PEE Products and Honey Veda showcased innovations in honey processing and marketing.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Shri Arindam Singha Roy, Executive Director of the CARD, who acknowledged the active participation of beekeepers and vendors. Mr. Shobhit Srivastava, Regional Director of CARD, played a pivotal role in organizing the event.
The seminar successfully promoted beekeeping by providing a common platform for farmers, producers, and buyers to exchange ideas and forge meaningful partnerships. It underscored the government’s commitment to supporting the beekeeping sector and enhancing its export potential.
