GI tagging mooted to stop adulteration of Honey

New Delhi, Apr 13 (KNN) The geographical indication (GI) tagging may also become a great weapon to stop adulteration and malpractices in honey sector, said Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner on Wednesday.

He also encouraged the beekeepers/ stakeholders for getting GI Tagging & Geo referencing for their produce. 

Kumar was speaking at the Consultative Workshop on “Technological Intervention & Innovations in the Honey / Beekeeping Sector” organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in New Delhi under National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM).

Around 600 Beekeepers honey Startups/ FPOs, stakeholders in beekeeping, officials from various Ministries/ Government Organizations/ Institutes, State Departments of Horticulture, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/ Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), etc. participated in the workshop physically and virtually.

Kumar highlighted the importance of technological interventions in beekeeping.

He explained the role of National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) and its contribution to strengthen the beekeeping sector, including provision of promotion of Honey FPOs and Agri startups through NBHM.

The Horticulture Commissioner assured full support to beekeepers across the country under the NBHM scheme.

Dr. N. K. Patle, Additional Commissioner Horticulture and Executive Director, National Bee Board (NBB) gave a brief presentation on role and achievements under NBHM, GI Tagging/ Geo referencing of honey in the country, success stories of beneficiaries assisted under NBHM, opportunities for beekeepers, agristart-ups/ stakeholders under NBHM, etc.

Addressing the participants in the workshop, he stated that technological interventions in beekeeping are very much required.

He stated that Government is committed towards increasing the overall potential of beekeeping industry in the country including supporting the honey startups and FPOs in beekeeping.

Patle mentioned that 31 Mini Testing Labs and 4 Regional labs have been sanctioned under NBHM to assure the quality of honey in the country Madhukranti Portal is another initiative under NBHM to capture the data on beekeeping through registration of beekeepers/ other stakeholders.

Participants also suggested some revisions of assistance under National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM). Components of NBHM like lab infrastructure to be improved, capacity building for honey bee keepers for addressing adulteration in honey, consumer outreach plan need to be prepared and more focus should be given to bee products.  (KNN Bureau)