Over 1 lakh bee-boxes distributed across Nation under 'Honey Mission'

To commemorate 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and to support the weaker section of the society in Agartala, Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) organized a distribution of 1000 Bee Boxes, 100 Pottery Wheels and 100 Advanced Leather Tool kits 100 Farmers, 100 Potters and 100 Leather Artisans recently in which Chief Minister of Tripura Shri Biplab Kumar Deb was Chief Guest, in presence of Chairman, KVIC Shri VK Saxena.

Complementing the efforts of KVIC, Chief Minister Shri Deb expressed hope that, this mega equipment distribution and Capacity Building drive will create a livelihood and will provide employment to 700 people. He further said that programs like Honey Mission, Empowerment of Leather Artisans and Kumhar Sashaktikaran Mission will not only instill self-confidence but give a much required boost to strengthen the weaker section of the society. It is an endeavor to reach out to the maximum number of people and help them achieve a life of respect and dignity.

Shri Saxena said, “Aligned with the vision of Prime Minister, our endeavor is to provide livelihood opportunities as well as alternate source of income to the rural farmers and other artisans, who otherwise adopt to menial labor or migrate to big towns or cities for daily wage jobs. The objective of this event is not only to empower the rural artisans and help them gain confidence in bee keeping, pottery and leather artistry, but also improve their quality of life. Tripura has a lot of potential of Bee Keeping and Pottery because of large scale cultivation of rubber plants and use of traditional terracotta products in their households.”

The event witnessed a huge turnout of artisans from nearby districts of Agartala. Nearly 20% of the beneficiaries of the equipment distribution were women, and around 80% of the total beneficiaries belonged to the marginalized communities.

Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has distributed more than one lakh bee-boxes bringing around 20,000 farmers under the coverage of 'Honey Mission' Scheme, said the Chairman of Khadi & Village Industries Commission Vinay Kumar Saxena here at Agartala on Monday.

KVIC Chairman Vinai Kumar Saxena said the commission has so far distributed 1,35,000 bee-boxes, which had happened for the first time in India. Mr. Saxena was addressing a programme of distribution of bee-boxes, leather tool kits and electric potter's wheel.

"The KVIC has set a target of distributing more 2 lakhs bee-boxes among the farmers," adding to this the KVIC Chairman today encouraged the unemployed youths of the state and rest of the farmers to take training on honey bee keeping and earn their livelihood.

He said that besides the production of healthy honey and wax, bee-keeping would open many job avenues for the unemployed youths and aspiring young entrepreneurs.

To empower the rural artisans and help them gain confidence in bee keeping, pottery and leather artistry, the Tripura government on Monday distributed bee-boxes, leather tool kits and electric potter's wheel among the farmers including the youths of this state.

'Honey Mission' was launched in August 2017 in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Sweet Revolution' in 2016 while introducing Banas Honey project at Deesa in Gujarat's Banaskantha district.

Source; PIB &  Tripura India.in