Project Madhushakti: FMC India and GB Pant University celebrate World Bee
Day by conducting workshop on bee keeping
Pantnagar, 24th May 2023: To enhance the ecosystem of beekeeping in Uttarakhand, FMC India, a
leading global agricultural sciences company, in collaboration with GB Pant University of Agriculture &
Technology (GBPUAT) organized a day long workshop to observe World Bee Day. The initiative was part
of FMC’s flagship program, Project Madhushakti which was launched in 2022. The objective is to
encourage women farmers towards entrepreneurship, generate sustainable income and raise the living
standards of the rural families in Uttarakhand, while simultaneously support biodiversity and higher
crop productivity.
Project Madhushakti is a first-of-its-kind innovative sustainable development initiative in India. Spanning
three years, the project is planned for the rural areas of Uttarakhand, located in the foothills of the
Himalayan Mountain range, with abundant source of natural herbs and flora useful for honey
production. The project, now in its second year, will train 750 women farmers as beekeepers. More than
8,000 people from over 20 villages are expected to directly benefit via an increase of up to 30 per cent
productivity in various fruits and other crops through good pollination.
The day-long program was inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor of the University Dr Manmohan Singh
Chauhan, an acadmo-management leader and a world-renowned scientist in the field of animal
biotechnology. Dr Singh underlined the importance of honeybee not only for providing valuable natural
super food honey but also products such as propolis, royal jelly, venom and wax. He also informed the
audiences that honeybees can support enhancing crop productivity of different cross-pollinated crops
ranging from 15 to 200 per cent.
Dr. AS Nain, Director for Research, GBPUAT said, “We take pride in our association with FMC India. In a
biodiversity rich state like Uttarakhand, the potential of beekeeping remains untapped which is
developing with Project Madhushakti. Scientific beekeeping will harness the potential of Uttarakhand
hills and generate employment and additional income for poor farmers We will continue to provide
training and learning opportunities in collaboration with FMC to establish bee keeping as a lucrative field
for women entrepreneurs.”
Speaking at the occasion, Raju Kapoor, Director, Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India said, “Bee rearing
is at the cusp of change in our country with India’s National Beekeeping and Honey Mission. FMC is
grateful to be contributing through a project with the scalability and impact of Madhushakti. We will
continue to work towards the enhancement of women’s skills. The lecture sessions through our
partnership with GB Pant University delivered by highly experienced scientists and bee fostering agents
will impart immersive knowledge and training to the women farmers that can be passed within their
community. We look forward to expanding our reach and benefiting more farmers through these
offerings. FMC is committed to provide a sustainable model of enhancing crop productivity using
intensive agricultural practices, while enhancing women empowerment and biodiversity.”
The workshop was hosted by Department of Entomology and Honeybee Research & Training Centre of
the university. It witnessed participation from bee rearing agents across the state of Uttarakhand,
followed by their felicitation along with students and department research heads. Scientists and
industry experts addressed students to help them inculcate knowledge and skill around apiculture. The
collaborative workshop hosted at the university was attended by dignitaries like Dr. Manmohan Singh
Chauhan, Vice Chancellor, GBPUAT, Mr. Raju Kapoor, Director, Public & Industry Affairs, FMC India, Dr.
AS Nain, Director of Research, GBPUAT, Dr. Renu and Dr. Pramod Mall, Head, Department of
Entomology, GBPUAT.
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