Leh, May 31: Secretary, Agriculture/Horticulture Department, UT Ladakh, Ravinder Kumar, today convened a preliminary meeting regarding the scope of bee-keeping and honey production under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) in UT Ladakh.

Secretary Ravinder inquired about the previous work/research on honey production in Ladakh. Associate Director, SKUAST, Dr Namgyal, informed Secretary Ravinder that an initial trial was conducted that needs further research work before disseminating the know-how to the progressive farmers.

He instructed that the trials can be conducted on a pilot basis initially in lower altitude areas of Ladakh after studying the successful models from Nepal and other Himalayan states.

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Secretary Ravinder directed the Department of Agriculture and Horticulture to prepare a proposal for bee-keeping and honey production in collaboration with research institutes like SKUAST and DIHAR after identifying the suitable sites. If the models are successful, the local demand for honey can be met locally and improve the income of local farmers.

Dr Namgyal, Associate Director SKUAST; Tashi Tsetan, Chief Agriculture Officer, Leh;  Tsewang Punchok, Chief Horticulture Officer, Leh; Dr Stobdan, Senior Scientist, DIHAR and Dr Stanzin Thakchos OSD to Adm. Secretary, UT Ladakh, attended the meeting.