ITANAGAR, Apr 7: Governor Brig (Retd) Dr B D Mishra has called upon the agrarian community, entrepreneurs and youth of the State to explore various ways and means to harness the apiculture potential in their areas.

“Arunachal Pradesh with the largest landmass in the North Eastern India, its expansive green cover, abundant flowers in the natural surroundings and pristine environment, has huge potential for apiculture.

Extensive beekeeping in the State will go a long way in doubling our farmers’ income by 2022,” stated the Governor while interacting with senior officials of Textile and Handicrafts, and Industries Departments, and Khadi & Village Industries Board at Raj Bhavan here today.

While pointing that the State Govt is promoting this sector, Mishra suggested that the people should extensively take up honey beekeeping to uplift their economic conditions.

“Beekeeping helps employment generation, augment nutritional security and sustaining biodiversity. Increasing the number of bee colonies will not only increase the production of bee-related products but will boost overall agricultural and horticultural productivity in the State as well,” he said.

While sharing his indulgence of apiculture activities in Raj Bhavan, the Governor said that with very little effort, interested persons can have good honey production in their backyard and added, extensive beekeeping in the State will go a long way in doubling the farmers’ income by next year.

Further, the Governor suggested training and initiation of beekeepers by the State Govt. He also suggested development of infrastructure for storage, processing, and marketing of honey and other honeybee products and plantation of honey bee-friendly flora at appropriate places by engaging women self-help groups in managing such plantations. He also advised for an intensive campaign for popularising beekeeping ventures in the State.