President calls for enhancing honey production

Stresses need for modern beekeeping techniques to improve honey quality

ISLAMABAD:

Modern beekeeping techniques should be adopted to enhance the yield and quality of organic honey produced in Pakistan, said President Dr Arif Alvi.

Chairing a meeting on beekeeping and honey production on Wednesday, the president said that the government would encourage and facilitate beekeepers by offering loans under the Prime Minister’s Kamyab Jawan Programme.

“In addition, the leadership will also help impart advanced training in institutes like the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC) and Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA),” he said.

Pakistan has enormous potential to become one of the largest honey producers as its climate and vegetation are conducive for premium quality production, he said.

Alvi underscored the need for strengthening and improving the beekeeping segment as it possessed the capacity to generate employment and fetch foreign exchange.

He was hopeful that the government’s Ten Billion Tree Tsunami programme would help improve the beekeeping ecosystem in the country and enhance production of quality honey.

The president called on relevant stakeholders to address the issues faced by the beekeeping sector to enable it to enhance honey production and export. He also asked the stakeholders to initiate steps for facilitating and guiding beekeepers by arranging training courses and workshops for them.

All Pakistan Bee Keepers and Honey Dealers Association President Naeem Qasmi briefed the meeting about the challenges faced by the beekeepers and highlighted the activities being undertaken by the association for the promotion of beekeeping in Pakistan.

The meeting was also attended by Pakistan Agricultural Research Council Chairman Dr Muhammad Azeem Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 29^th, 2021.

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