“We chose this trade because requirement for pure honey is increasing.”
— Photo: K. Ganesan
Sweet venture: Honey bee boxes being displayed for inspection in Madurai.
MADURAI: Stressing that rearing of honey bees could be a viable source of income, the Agricultural College and Research Institute (ACRI) here has launched a unique training programme for women on producing honey in the backyard or agriculture farms.
Simple techniques are being explained under the scheme, ‘Bee-keeping, an income generating enterprise for SC/ST farm women,’ through which specially designed boxes to catch honey bees are given.
“The mandate of Krishi Vigyan Kendra is to see that farmers learn about allied activities of agriculture also. Since the demand for honey is good and expanding, this scheme was launched,” says K. Ramamoorthy, Dean.
The boxes have suitable trays and frames that facilitate rearing of bees and also ensure that ants going through the stems do not disturb the process of honey making.
Kits obtained
About 50 kits have been obtained for the first training session that lasts for three days and the scheme is implemented with financial assistance from the Department of Biotechnology, New Delhi.
According to Dr. Ramamoorthy, the periodical training sessions would continue on the campus.“We chose this trade because requirement for pure honey is increasing in drug / pharmaceutical companies and retail stores,” the Dean said. Farm women will also be trained in marketing and suitable links with non-governmental organisations provided to them.
C. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, who inaugurated the programme on Thursday, said that the women should have a brand and label for the honey and tap the market.
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