KVK Srinagar concludes skill development programme on beekeeping

Srinagar, Jan 29: KVK Srinagar (SKUAST-K), in collaboration with 41 Battalion BSF Sector Srinagar, successfully concluded a ten-day Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Training Programme (ESDP) on "Agripreneurship in Beekeeping."

The programme aimed to empower rural youth through entrepreneurial skills and help them establish sustainable agribusiness enterprises.

The training programme, supported by the Pollination Centre Shalimar, Apiculture Development Officer Lal Mandi, and Agro Industries Development Corporation Khonmouh Srinagar, benefited 50 participants, including unemployed rural youth and female school dropouts from rural and peri-urban areas across the district. BSF personnel also received capacity building training during the programme.

The valedictory ceremony was held at Battalion HQ Humhama, where trainees received certificates marking their successful completion of the programme. Manoj Sundriyal (2 IC) attended as the Chief Guest, while Prof. S A Simnani, Head of KVK Srinagar, presided as Guest of Honor. The ceremony was attended by faculty members, technical and supporting officials from the Kendra, village sarpanches, and BSF officers including Deputy COs Rajesh Pandey, Pawan Kumar Sharma, and Anand Prakash.

According to KVK officials, the training programme aims to ensure participants' livelihood and economic security while generating employment opportunities for society. Prof. Simnani emphasized beekeeping's dual benefits: enhancing fruit productivity through pollination and enabling commercial honey production. He aligned the program's objectives with the Prime Minister's vision of skill development as a cornerstone of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, reducing dependence on government jobs while promoting self-reliance.

Chief Guest Sundriyal expressed satisfaction with the program's successful completion and praised the synergistic collaboration between KVK Srinagar and other stakeholders under the civic action programme. Deputy CO  Pawan Sharma moderated the ceremony, while Dr. Rayees A Wani, scientist at KVK, presented an overview of the programme.