Honey beekeeping is being used to generate additional income to farmers and Women Self-Help groups in Chhattisgarh. A work plan is being made to unleash a ‘Sweet Revolution’ in the state.
Under the National Horticulture Scheme, in 2020-21 the Horticulture Department has imparted training to farmers and Women Self-Help Groups of 13 districts in beekeeping.
A total of 474 farmers from the districts of Raipur, Gariaband, Jagdalpur, Kondagaon, Korba, Raigarh, Rajnandgaon and Kabirdham were given 12,150 boxes, 12,150 hives and 243 related equipment. The National Horticulture Scheme envisages to provide 50 boxes to each farmer, an official communication said on Saturday.
Under the scheme, in Surguja division 349 farmers were handed over 6,500 boxes last year.
One of the successful women SHGs in beekeeping is the Sitara Women Self-Help Group under Kuniya Model Gauthan in Mainpat block in Surguja. The group produced 134 kg of honey in one year.
Group president Shivshanti Yadav said the group got 50 boxes and earned Rs 67,000.
Surguja Deputy Director (Horticulture) Kailash Singh Paikra said that more groups have shown interest.