Second World Honey Bee Day Celebrated at IARI

The Project Coordinating Unit, All India Coordinated Research Project on Honey Bees and Pollinators in collaboration with the Integrated Bee Development Center (IBDC), Division of Entomology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi celebrated the 2nd World Honey Bee Day. The function was held at the Conference Hall, Division of Agricultural Extension, IARI.   

The Chief Guest, Dr. P.K. Chakrabarty, Member, Agricultural Scientists’ Recruitment Board emphasized on the AICRP’s activities on honey bees and pollinators and the role played by the honey bees and other pollinators in the crop pollination. He also stressed on to create the job opportunities in IBDCs and KVICs for the M.Sc degree holders in Apiculture, establishment of national level quality control labs and fixing of minimum support price for honey for the sustainability of bee keeping as a livelihood option for the poor farmers. 

The Guest of Honor, Dr. B.N.S. Murthy, Horticulture Commissioner briefed about the bee keeping promoting activities under the National Horticultural Mission and the progress of integrated bee keeping centers. He also underlined the issues of adulteration of Honey and FSSAI notified quality standards for Honey. 

Dr. Rajan, ADG (PP&BS), ICAR stressed on the activities of AICRP (HB&P). He also applauded the Integrated Bee Keeping Development Centre of IARI and other institutes for creating the necessary infrastructure of bee research and training. 

Dr. A.K. Singh, Director, IARI appreciated the IBDC and AICRP (HB&P) initiative to organize such an event. He stressed on the need to raise the awareness among the farmers and other stakeholders on the pollination services of the bees. He also emphasized on sustaining the activities of the IBDC at IARI by the additional funding from the ICAR or IARI or NHM. 

Dr. Rashmi Aggarwal Dean, PG School, ICAR-IARI; Dr. Balraj Singh, Project Coordinator, AICRP (HB&P); Dr. R.K. Sharma, Head, Division of Entomology and Heads of other Divisions, scientists, students and progressive bee keepers registered their participation in the event. The Progressive bee keepers were facilitated on the occasion by the dignitaries.