Export of honey expected to rise in 2009-10

SRINAGAR: With the honey production in the Kashmir valley showing considerable surge, the authorities have set the target for honey export for 2009-10 to 250 metric tonnes, an official spokesman said on Sunday.
   
The production of honey was registered up to 125 tonnes in 2005-06, 215 tonnes in 2006-07, 200 tonnes in 2007-08.
   
The production is expected to increase further in the valley and the expected target of honey production for the year 2008-09 is 350 tonnes, the spokesman said.
   
The valley exported 100 metric tonnes honey in 2005-06 and 2006-07, 150 MTs in 2007-08. The target export for 2008-09 is set up at 200 MTs and for 2009-10 the target is 250 MTs, the spokesman said.
   
There are 20,000 bee colonies in the valley and the development of apiculture is expected to show further upswing in its graph by increasing the population of beekeepers to 1900 in 2008-09 and 2200 in 2009-10.
   
Despite certain limitations, apiculture if pursued in systematic manner and duly regulated could improve the economy of a large number of people, the spokesman said.