GUWAHATI: In an effort to help the beekeepers of Assam and promote beekeeping as a feasible vocation, India's Science-based Ayurveda major Dabur India Ltd hosted a webinar at Jaisidih, in Biswanath district in Assam. The webinar was attended by more than 100 beekeepers who have received support from Dabur India Ltd. in their pursuit of beekeeping. The webinar was attended by several dignitaries including Bipul Basumatry, Block Chairman of Sootea Block, Dr. Badari Narayan, Advisor to the Bio-Resources Development team and Dr. Pankaj Raturi, Head of the Bio-Resources Development team at Dabur India Ltd.
The webinar was a part of an initiative undertaken by Dabur India Ltd. to promote beekeeping in the State. Dabur, through its CSR wing Jivanti Welfare and Charitable Trust, in partnership with Institute of Integrated Resource Management (IIRM) has pledged to help farmers develop alternative sources of livelihood. The initiative aims at helping 150 members from the community by providing them 450 bee boxes.
Speaking about the initiative, Dr.Pankaj Raturi, Head of the Bio-Resources Development team at Dabur India Ltd said, "Beekeeping, as an enterprise, fits well with small scale farmers and helps them earn additional income. It has the potential to provide employment, income and economic security for the farm family and others in rural areas. At Dabur, we are committed to making requisite skills available to the targeted communities and provide them assistance to create a sustainable source of income in the long term. We are extremely happy to have been able to make a difference in the lives of people in several districts in Assam with this initiative."
Under this project Dabur India Ltd. has covered 8 districts in Assam till date. Through the initiative, 150 bee boxes have been provided till now after undertaking 3 rounds of farmer training. The initiative engages more than 25,000 tribal families in Assam.
"On-site training camps are organized regularly for the farmers, where they are educated on making of bee boxes, rearing of bees and multiplication of bee colonies. We provide all the technical assistance required for scientific beekeeping," Dr.Pankaj Raturi added, stated a press release.