The World Honeybee Day was celebrated at the OUAT by the Director of Horticulture-cum-Secretary, Horticulture Development Society, Odisha, in collaboration with the AICRP on Honeybees and Pollinators (ICAR), OUAT.
The aim was to honour honeybees and beekeepers with theme area for this year “Save Honeybees”. Agriculture Minister Dr Damodar Rout inaugurated it. The programme was attended by above 250 participants, including progressive beekeepers, bee entrepreneurs, members from NGOs, officials of the Directorate of Horticulture, professors, scientists and students. Director Horticulture Dr M Muthukumar gave the welcome address.
Professor Entomology Dr CR Satapathy in his keynote address gave a brief overview of the prospect of scientific beekeeping in the State and suggested for strengthening the activity.
Dean College of Agriculture, OUAT Dr lM Garnayak enlightened the delegates about the role of honeybees in increasing production and productivity of the crop through bee pollination under integrated farming system. A booklet on “Mahumachhi Palana” was released and dedicated to the farmers.
A technical session and an interactive session with progressive beekeepers and entrepreneurs was conducted.