In order to promote farmer producer organisations (FPOs) among beekeepers, National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED) launched the Honey FPO Programme on Thursday.
Launching the programme online under Formation & Promotion of 10,000 FPOs scheme, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said, “Beekeeping in India is highly predominant in the unorganised sector among the rural and tribal population. Despite having a huge potential of honey production in the country, the beekeeping industry is still underdeveloped. The adoption level of beekeeping is also quite less due to various constraints.”
“NAFED will address these issues by acting as an intermediary and fill up the gaps between the elements of the beekeeping supply chain and also ensure price remuneration to the beekeeping farmers. Through these Honey FPOs, NAFED will also work for promotion of beekeeping as an occupation for unemployed women and tribal populations and uplift their livelihood,” the minister added.
Speaking on the occasion, Tomar also said that honey beekeeping will change the lifestyle of small and marginal farmers and help in achieving the goal of increasing farmers’ income.
The inauguration programme was attended by new Honey FPOs, farmers and FPOs from various parts of the country.
