Promotion of honey production, New policy for landless farmers and highlights of Horticulture Festival

The three-day Horticulture Festival commenced in Patna with Bihar’s Agriculture Minister, Mr. Mangal Pandey, inaugurating the event. During the occasion, he announced a new policy to boost honey production in the state. Over 1,500 farmers participated in the festival, showcasing a variety of horticulture products, including fruits, flowers, and vegetable seeds.

Honey Production Policy for Landless Farmers:

The Agriculture Minister emphasized the government’s initiative to empower landless farmers through honey production. The new policy aims to encourage beekeeping, particularly focusing on crops like sunflower, moringa, mustard, and litchi for honey production. This policy will connect landless farmers with sustainable beekeeping practices, helping to enhance their income.

Participation of Over 1,500 Farmers in the Festival:

The festival, held at Gandhi Maidan, featured over 1,500 farmers from various districts of Bihar presenting more than 14,000 exhibits. Around 60 stalls were set up, offering a range of products for sale, including seeds, saplings, pots, honey, makhana, mushrooms, and other horticultural products.

Benefits of Beekeeping:

1. Enhances crop yields for fruits, vegetables, oilseeds, and pulses through pollination support.
2. Increases farmers’ income through honey and other valuable bee products.
3. Provides employment opportunities and helps maintain biodiversity.
4. Serves as a sustainable livelihood source in rural areas.
5. Produces high-value items like bee pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, comb honey, and bee venom.

Rising Farmer Income through Horticulture: The Agriculture Minister highlighted the vital role of horticulture in Bihar’s economy. He noted that the state’s per capita income has increased from ₹7,500 in 2005 to ₹66,000 today, thanks to farmers’ efforts and active participation in horticulture.

Expanding Horticulture and Embracing Modern Techniques:

The state government plans to expand horticulture coverage to 18 lakh hectares by 2025 and 20 lakh hectares by 2026. Farmers are adopting high-value exotic fruits like dragon fruit and strawberries alongside traditional crops, boosting their income.

Focus on Storage and Value Addition: The Agriculture Minister stressed the importance of proper storage, processing, and value addition of agricultural produce. To address this, the government has established the Directorate of Agricultural Marketing. This initiative aims to ensure fair pricing for farmers, provide market access, facilitate better packaging, and promote value-added products.