Kurukshetra, Aug. 17 — Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said honey will be brought under the state’s Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, expanding the price difference payment system beyond horticulture crops to benefit beekeepers.
Speaking at a state-level workshop on beekeeping in Kurukshetra, Saini said the initiative would boost farmers’ incomes while strengthening the beekeeping sector. “Beekeeping is a major source of additional income for farmers and it also enhances crop productivity,” he said.
Saini announced that the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre at Ramnagar in Kurukshetra will be developed as a national-level institute with advanced research facilities. “A quality control laboratory will soon be set up at the centre with an outlay of ₹20 crore. Arrangements will also be made here for honey sale, storage and quality testing,” he said.
The centre, established with Israeli cooperation, already trains farmers in modern beekeeping techniques. It houses a honey trade centre through which 74,000 boxes and 3,43,000 comb sheets have been distributed so far. Facilities for honey processing and bottling are also available.
Saini said the state’s Beekeeping Policy-2021 targets the training of 7,750 beekeepers and production of 15,500 metric tonnes of honey by 2030. “Under this policy, up to 85% subsidy is being provided on bee boxes, colonies and equipment,” he noted.
In addition to the beekeeping push, Saini released a subsidy of ₹1.80 crore for 19 gaushalas in Kurukshetra, part of a larger ₹88.50 crore allocation for 605 cow shelters across the state. He said ₹270 crore has been granted for fodder over the past 10.5 years and announced that 800 e-rickshaws will soon be provided to shelters.
The chief minister also held a meeting with the Haryana Oil Mills Association, where he announced that the lump sum fee charged from Khal Bilona traders has been reduced from ₹42,000 to ₹21,000.
Earlier in the day, Saini offered prayers at Geeta Gyan Sansthanam and Geeta Sthal Jyotisar on the occasion of Janmashtami before joining festivities in his Ladwa constituency.
