Sheikh Imran Bashir
Srinagar: Honey production is witnessing a slump due to bad weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir.
Honeybee keepers are an unhappy lot in Zakura, in the out skirts of Srinagar, the provincial capital, where production of honey has recorded an all-time low.
Untimely rains, which lashed at the region during summers, have adversely affected apiculture.
“Last year the production was good, farmers were also very happy, but this year due to the bad weather, production is extremely low since August. Even in September we didn’t get any honey. During autumn there has been very low production because of little feeding on flowers by bees. But this year the production is almost nil,” said Nazir Ahmad, a beekeeper.
But officials of the state Apiculture Department informed said production has seen a decline of up to 60 percent.
“For the years of 2010, 2011, bad weather conditions like a lot of rains did not allow the bees to venture out for the collection of nectar during the months of May and June which is the production season. Hence we are witnessing around 50 to 60 percent decline in our production this year and this is only due to the unfavourable climatic conditions,” Javaid Ahmad Kakroo, apiculture development officer told Agence India Press.
About 125 tonnes of honey was produced in 2005-06, and while 100 tonnes of honey were exported in 2005-06 and 2006-07, 150 metric tonnes were exported in 2007-08.
The Kashmir Valley’s honey is a much sought-after product and is mostly exported to European countries.
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