Rawalakot, The University of Poonch, Rawalakot, in collaboration with Human Appeal and the National Agricultural Research Council (NARC), has successfully conducted a two-day training workshop aimed at empowering women through commercial beekeeping.
According to University of Poonch Rawalakot, the workshop, held at the Faculty of Agriculture’s Department of Entomology, focused on modern scientific methods of beekeeping. It provided practical training in the care of mountain (Serana) and European (Mellifera) bees, including aspects such as nutritional needs, environmental considerations, and advanced honey collection techniques. Each participant received four beehive boxes equipped with modern technology and complete beekeeping kits to facilitate the start of their own enterprises.
The event was graced by prominent academics including Prof. Dr. Nasir Rahim, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Sciences, and former registrar Prof. Dr. Jameel Ahmad, along with other experts like Dr. Khalid Rafiq. The speakers emphasized the shift from traditional beekeeping methods to more productive, modern techniques as essential for increasing honey production and ensuring the sustainability of the beekeeping industry.
Dr. Nasir Rahim expressed gratitude towards the donors, highlighting the university’s ongoing commitment to providing practical training workshops that invite expertise from both national and international sources. He noted that these initiatives are part of a broader effort to boost local economies and provide substantial economic relief to communities through innovative agricultural practices.
The workshop also addressed common misconceptions about beekeeping, with Dr. Khalid Rafiq pointing out the importance of understanding bee behavior and environmental needs to enhance honey production and prevent bees from abandoning their hives.
The successful completion of the workshop marks a significant step forward in promoting gender-specific skills development and economic empowerment in the region, leveraging agriculture and beekeeping as key tools for community development.