JKTPO and Invest India (DPIIT) organised Organic Certification program for
Honey Beekeepers under ODOP initiative in Ramban
The Jammu and Kashmir Trade Promotion Organisation
(JKTPO) under the guidance of Principal Secretary to the Government, Industries
& Commerce, Prashant Goyal and under the supervision of Managing Director,
JKTPO, Khalid Jahangir organized the National Programme for Organic Production
(NPOP) awareness drive for organic certification of Honey, ODOP product of
Ramban District in collaboration with Invest India (One District One Product)
team, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry at Administrative Complex,
Ramban.
The workshop aimed to provide certification and
training to farmers already engaged in producing organic Honey, but lacking the
necessary certification for their product’s authenticity. This initiative is
part of JKTPO's efforts to promote ODOP products in Jammu and Kashmir and
increase the export potential of Honey.
At the onset, Deputy Commissioner Ramban, Mr. Massarat
Islam appreciated the efforts of JKTPO for conducting such events and
emphasized the need to increase Honey production to meet market demand, improve
packaging to meet international standards, and promote Ramban as a "Desi
Organic District" of J&K.
According to the Chief Agriculture Officer of Ramban,
Dr. Ashwani Kumar that there is a high demand for Organic Honey of Ramban in
India and abroad due to its unique characteristics. The organic certification
of is expected to boost its demand and help increase the farmers' income.
The National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP)
involves the accreditation of Certification Bodies, setting standards for
organic production, promoting organic farming and marketing, etc., under the
Ministry of Commerce & Industries, Government of India. The NPOP standards
for production and accreditation system have been recognised by the European
Commission and Switzerland as equivalent to their country standards.
The drive was attended by over 100 plus Honey
producers/Bee keepers from Ramban district, and more farmers are expected to
come under organic certification. Onspot registration for Organic Certificate
for Honey was done for 80+ Bee keepers.
This workshop is the third NPOP Awareness Drive
organised by JKTPO for the organic certification of Honey, with the first two
held in Pulwama & Kishtwar for saffron growers.