by Suman Gupta
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has taken a giant leap towards “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” by creating local employment to unemployed youth through its flagship “Honey Mission” programme. Today, on November 22, 2022, Hon’ble Chairman, Khadi and Village Industries Commission Shri. Manoj Kumar, Provided livelihood opportunity to unemployed youth under Honey Mission by distributing 100 bee boxes to 10 beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena district, 200 to 20 beneficiaries in Chhattisgarh’s Badekilepal, Turangur and Bastar districts and 300 Bee boxes to 30 beneficiaries Jalgaon district of Maharashtra through video conferencing.
Acting on the call of Hon’ble Prime Minister for “Self-reliant India”, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission has identified backward and tribal-dominated districts and distributed a total of 600 B-boxes, providing 5-day training and equipment to the beneficiaries. Guidelines for providing proper marketing platform were given to the competent officers of KVIC by the Hon’ble Chairman KVIC. Hon’ble Chairman KVIC Shri Manoj Kumar also instructed to prepare new guidelines for providing other necessary equipment along with the necessary tool kit being given to the beneficiaries at present and adopting advanced methods of honey extraction process and transportation of bee boxes.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar appreciated such creative initiative and said that involving youth with beekeeping would generate local employment; It will also contribute to increase India’s honey production which is the main objective of Honey Mission. “It is a great initiative. We have taken another step forward towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat by providing employment to unemployed youth in tribal and backward areas at their doorsteps, Chairman, KVIC said.
Hon’ble Chairman in his speech appreciated the work done by the women beneficiaries of 6 SHG groups working in sensitive and remote aria of the country. He also assured all possible help to these women beneficiaries. He assured that all the issues raised during the interaction with the beneficiaries would be resolved. He also asked to explore the possibility of extending the benefits of Honey Mission program to retired army officers.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Executive Officer, KVIC Shri Vinit Kumar said that beekeeping is aligned with the call of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for ‘Aatmanir Bharta’ by promoting local industries to the youth. “Beekeeping will not only increase India’s honey production but will also increase the income of beekeepers. In addition, products such as beeswax, pollen, propolis, royal jelly and bee venom are also marketable and, therefore, a profitable proposition for the local people”.
The Honey Mission launched by KVIC aims to generate employment for farmers, tribals, women and unemployed youth by connecting them to beekeeping and increasing India’s honey production. KVIC has so far distributed 1,75,509 Bee-boxes in different states of the country, which has increased to 1,76,209 after distribution of 700 boxes today.
