The sprawling gardens of Rashtrapati Bhawan will now hum with the music of honey bees. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) on Tuesday launched a unique programme at the majestic Presidential edifice that will produce more than 12,500 kilograms of high quality honey and 300 kilograms of good-quality wax every year. This will be part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream project ‘Sweet Revolution’.
To exploit the potential of the nectar-producing gardens with the abundant flora and fauna, including lush trees of mangoes, Indian blackberries (jaunt), neem, and drumsticks, the KVIC launched the apiculture training course for the gardeners of President’s Estate on Tuesday.
As many as 50 gardeners participated in the course.
Giving the details of the programme, KVIC Chairman VK Saxena said the gardeners were apprised of the comprehensive scope and significance of apiculture, tips to care and maintain the apiaries and value of beekeeping in maintaining the flora and fauna.
“After training, the KVIC will install as many as 500 bee-boxes in different phases in the Rashtrapati Bhawan premises - having large greeneries. Besides producing more than 12,500 kilograms of high quality honey and 300 kilograms of good-quality wax every year, apiary will also boost the flora and fauna in and around the President’s Estate and increase the crop yield there by at least 25 per cent,” he said,
Saxena said it was a joint project of the KVIC and New Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC). The KVIC has also decided to set up as many as 5,000 bee-boxes this year in different gardens of Delhi, including lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden and Nehru Park, apart from the various reserved forest areas in Delhi. The NDMC authorities have also extended their support in our mission.”
Saxena further said the KVIC’s apiculture experts delved upon honey bee species, colony organisation, division of labour and life cycle of honey bees; management of honey bee colonies during different seasons.
“The gardeners will also get practical training of examination of honeybee colonies, acquaintance with apicultural equipments, identification and management of bee enemies and diseases, honey extraction and wax purification, and management of bee colonies in spring, summer, monsoon, autumn and winter seasons.
“Our objective is to make the sweet nectar available to each and every family for their daily consumption, following the call of ‘Sweet Revolution’ given by our Prime Minister. Honey helps boosting immunity and purifies blood. Its medicinal value protects the body from major health problems like heart ailments and cancer.” On May 9, the KVIC had launched a five-day beekeeping course for inmates of Jail no. 5 in Tihar Jail.
On the occasion, Secretary to the President Omita Paul said this initiative from the KVIC would not only increase the yield of horticulture and floriculture in and around the President Estate, it would also boost empowerment among the women associated with different self-help groups. “The beekeeping programme will be a bonanza for the 16,000 flowers and plants, recently placed in the Rashtrapati Bhawan premises. As this area has abundant trees, suitable for pollination, it will massively increase the yield of the crops in the neighbouring areas,” she said.