Haryana Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Sh. Kanwar Pal said that beekeeping farmers in the state will now have access to beekeeping equipment at affordable rates. The state government has fixed the prices for the same. Today, in a High Power Purchase Committee (HPPC) meeting, rates were finalised for equipment worth around Rs. 6.5 crore. Farmers have a long standing demand that the quality and pricing of beekeeping equipment should be determined.
After the meeting Chairman, High Power Purchase Committee, Sh. Kanwar Pal stated that, due to the state government’s farmer-friendly policies, the beekeeping industry in Haryana has flourished over the past 10 years. Many farmers have diversified into beekeeping, which is an affirmative step, especially when agricultural land holdings are low. He also said that last year, beekeepers in the state produced 5,000 metric tons of honey, valued at approximately Rs. 55 crore in the market.
The Agriculture Minister also highlighted that the state government provides an 80 percent subsidy to beekeepers for purchasing honey collection and other related equipment. Farmers have often complained that beekeeping equipment is either not available in the market or they are of poor quality and expensive, affecting their income.
Sh. Kanwar Pal further said that an “Integrated Beekeeping Development Center” has been established in Ramnagar, Kurukshetra district, in collaboration with the governments of Israel and India. This centre provides training and other information related to beekeeping to the farmers. He stated that understanding the challenges faced by farmers, the state government has decided to open shops with fixed prices at this centre, where beekeeping equipment can be easily accessed. Under one roof, farmers will find high-quality “bee boxes,” “bee tool kits,” “bee brushes,” “bee gloves,” “bee feeders,” queen bee cages, honey extraction machines, and other essential equipment, he added.
Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department, Sh. Raja Sekhar Vundru, Director Sh. Rajnarayan Kaushik, Special Secretary, Finance Department, Sh. Jaibir Singh Arya, Special Department Head, Horticulture Directorate, Sh. Arjun Singh Saini and other officers remained present during the meeting.