Imported Chinese honey could hit Indian beekeepers

Ludhiana, Apr 9 (UNI) The invasion of markets by Chinese honey could prove detrimental for Indian beekeepers, National Bee Board Vice-Chairman Gagandeep Singh said.

Calling for an effective national policy to tackle the problems of the beekeeping industry, Mr Gagandeep Singh suggested that the apiary business should be freed from VAT restrictions as it was a part of agriculture. The beekeeping sector should be given an impetus to take on the Chinese honey invasion.

Addressing a seminar on beekeeping at the Punjab Agriclture University (PAV) here, he said. Standards of Agmark did not properly fulfill the national needs and standardisation on new lines was required. He emphasised the need to popularise honey through campaigns on the lines of eggs in the country.

The seminar entitled 'Current problems and future of beekeeping' was organised by the National Bee Board in collaboration with Progressive Bee-keepers' Association and PAU.

Mr Singh revealed that only 30 scientists were providing technical know-how to beekeepers of the country at present. This number should be increased if beekeeping is to be popularised and for making India a major exporter of honey, he added.

Speakers at the seminar were of the opinion that a national policy to provide facilities to progressive beekeepers should be devised. Self marketing of honey would ensure more profits, they said.

The speakers pointed out that there was a demand for honey from the foreign markets and India could emerge as a leading exporter of honey if a national policy was framed for the beekeeping sector.

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