New Delhi: Fulfilling the vision of Mahatma Gandhi Prime Minister has emphasized on the importance of beekeeping and said: "श्वेत क्रांति के साथ स्वीट क्रांति की भी जरूरत है" taking ahead his call, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has taken beekeeping on mission mode to help beekeepers and farmers.
While celebrating May 20 as World Bee Day to create awareness about the significant role of bees and other pollinators in keeping people healthy and solving various challenges, The KVIC celebrated its Diamond Jubilee on World Bee Day by organising various programmes related to bee conservation and honey processing at the KVIC's Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTl), Pune. It included inauguration of honey parlour and exhibition, distribution of tool, release of souvenir, release of short film on Journey of CBRTI and award to scientists, beekeepers and employees of the Commission for doing excellent work in the field of beekeeping.
Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Narayan Rane digitally kicked off the event by virtually distribution of 800 bee boxes to beekeepers. Addressing the participants present on this occasion he shared that this year 1,33,200 metric tonnes honey is produced and sales of honey reached Rs 30,000 crores. Margin money subsidy of about Rs 300 crore disbursed under the PMEGP Scheme.
On this occasion, Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma said that MSME is contributing one third of the total GDP and making 48 percent contribution in total export. He also said that with this per capita income of people has increased from 8500 to 1.95 lakhs.
Earlier, Chairman KVIC Manoj Kumar opined that Khadi and Village Industries Commission is celebrating the festival for the reassurance of the beekeepers of the country in the line self-reliance and saving bees which are essential for human life. He said that in the month of August 2017, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a call “श्वेत क्रान्ति के साथ स्वीट क्रांति की भी जरूरत है” (there is a need for a sweet revolution along with the white revolution), inspired by this, KVIC took up the initiative to push up this traditional beekeeping industry. To generate employment opportunities, Honey Mission has been developed and during the year 2017-18 since inception of 'Honey Mission' has distributed more than 1,86,000 bee boxes and provided 18,600 direct employments. This has increased in yield of agricultural production from 25 to 40 percent. He also announced of increase in 35 percent income of the khadi artisan making it to 150 percent increase in their income. He also reiterated the margin money subsidy of about Rs 300 crore Rs 299.97 disbursed to 819 beneficiaries. Under which about 948 947.60 crore rupees have been approved as loan. With this, about 54,552 i.e. about 55 thousand unemployed will get employment. More than 50,000 people have been trained in beekeeping by CBRTI, he said.
KVIC's Chairman said that this scheme is a comprehensive initiative to make the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Local to Global" campaign a success. It aims to promote the production of high-quality honey that meets international standards and boost income of the artisans of the sector.
Other senior officers of KVIC were also participated in the programme.
Disclaimer: This story is a press release and is being published without any editing by the PSU Watch desk.
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