5-DAYS BEEKEEPING TRAINING COURSE FOR SCHEDULE CASTES CONCLUDED AT PAU

Ludhiana, December 26, 2017: A 5-day beekeeping training course especially for schedule castes was organised by Department of Entomology, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana during December 18-22, 2017 under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). A total 21 trainees, from 4 districts, enrolled for the course. Dr Pardeep K. Chhuneja, Course Coordinator and Head, Department of Entomology, briefed that motive of the beekeeping training course was to impart beekeeping skills to the unemployed youth belonging to schedule castes category. We dealt with issues in a scientific manner and provided technical skill to help them to initiate beekeeping enterprise for earning their livelihood and enhancing their income. During the course, hands-on experience was provided to the trainees by conducting practicals on various aspects of beekeeping such as management of honey bee colonies during different seasons; production strategies and post-harvest handling of honey; colonies multiplication, and management of bee enemies and diseases, etc. The trainees were also apprised of the finance and subsidy schemes available for beekeepers by the technical experts from banking sector and State Department of Horticulture. Dr Jaspal Singh, Senior Entomologist and Technical Coordinator of the course, informed that another beekeeping training course for beginners will be organised at PAU, Ludhiana campus during January 8-12, 2018.