THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, March 14: Union Agriculture and Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda today laid the foundation stone of the country’s fifth and eastern region’s first state-of-the-art large honey testing laboratory, Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre, Bamboo Cultivation Project and other projects at Rashtriya Krishi Ucchatar Prasanskaran Sansthan, Numkum in Ranchi.
Sweet Revolution in Eastern India
This also began the sweet revolution in Eastern India. There are laboratories in the country, such as NDDB Anand, IARI, Delhi, IIHR, Bangalore, and IBDC, Haryana. With the construction of this laboratory here, the eastern region can be developed as a ‘honey hub’.
Honey export
Thousands of honey-producing farmers will get export opportunities along with expansion in the domestic market, which will raise their standard of living.
On this occasion, Munda said that honey has never been exported from this region, even though there is a vast area for honey production.
Honey production in Jharkhand
“There is huge potential for honey production in the state of Jharkhand; about 30% of the land is covered with abundant forest. Crops, fruits, vegetables, and wild trees are the most important honey production resources. Honey production is increasing in our country, and exports are also increasing,” he said.
Munda said Jharkhand has immense potential for honey production, which should be utilised to increase farmers’ income.
Quality of honey
“Honey testing laboratories will help ensure the quality of honey produced. The bee box manufacturing units will help increase honey production. The trading, branding, and marketing units will help promote the sale of honey domestically and internationally and benefit beekeepers and farmers,” he added.
“After the food shortage between 1940 and 1960, the Green Revolution came to the country, and production increased. However, soil erosion also occurred. After 2013, we became alert in many cases. Even today, we import oilseeds and pulses. This is to move forward by creating a relationship with nature and causing less damage to the soil. A Bamboo Mission is also being started in this area,” the minister said.
Munda said that, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance, the Central Government has always prioritised agriculture, allied sectors, and farmers in the country.
“In this sequence, to give international recognition to the unique honey varieties of Jharkhand and surrounding states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, the Central Government has approved a state-of-the-art large honey testing laboratory and other projects,” he pointed out.
Farmers and beekeepers
Farmers and beekeepers participated in large numbers. Various institutions participated in it, including the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission and Krishi Vigyan Kendra—Khunti, Ranchi, Gumla, Simdega, Seraikela, and West Singhbhum.
On this occasion, Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth, Padma Shri Ashok Bhagat, BAU Vice Chancellor Dr SC Dubey, IARB Director Dr Sujay Rakshit, and other public representatives and dignitaries were present.
