Kupwara, May 16: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Kupwara, Anshul Garg today inaugurated Honey Processing and Bottling Unit at Gulgam Kupwara. The Unit has been completed at a cost of Rs.17 Lakh.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), Nazir Ahmad Lone; Chief Agriculture Officer (CAO), Muzaffar Ahmad Hurrah, concerned officers and beekeepers were present at the occasion.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Muzaffer Ahmad Hurrah apprised the DDC about the functioning and potential of income generation of the Honey Processing and Bottling unit. He said the honey produced in the district is pure organic . He informed that there are total beekeepers in the district , of which 90 belong to Gulgam area.
Regarding the Processing unit, CAO said that the processing capacity of the unit is 2 quintal per day and the Agriculture department is supplying crude honey to the beekeepers at a nominal cost of Rs.100 per kg, thus enabling the beekeepers to earn more margin of profit. He said that in last 2 years 2000 bee colonies have been provided to beneficiaries at 40% subsidy by the department to generate employment and boost economic sector in the district. He also informed that Bottling and labeling plant will be established soon at Gulgam Kupwara for which DPR has been already approved by department and the produce will be branded as Kupwara Honey for national and international market.
Later the DDC interacted with bee keepers of Gulgam area wherein they raised their issues and demands related to financial assistance, migration of honey units and road connectivity towards honey processing unit.
On the occasion, the DDC directed the CAO that the bee keepers of the district should get registered with Farmers producers organizations (FPO) and provide them I cards so that they can easily migrate from one place to another and can sold their brands outside the state.
The demand for road connectivity from Gulgam to Cherwari Honey Processing plant was also highlighted by the bee keepers for which DDC assured them that the demand will be put in to the notice of higher authorities for early redressal.
DDC also directed the CAO to put all the medicines available at respective headquarters.
