RAWALPINDI: Speakers at a seminar called for enhancing the capacity of the professionals and beekeepers to produce good quality honey.

The seminar to mark World Bee Day held at Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

The seminar was organised by the Arid university department of Entomology with an aim to create awareness of importance of bees in pollination and as a source of honey and other products like prospolis, wax, pollen and royal jelly, etc.

Participants were also told about habitat conservation (bee flora) for bees and other pollinators.

The university vice chancellor Prof. Dr. Sarwat N. Mirza was the chief guest while speakers and participants from government and private sectors along with bee-keepers and a big number of faculty members, graduate & post-graduate entomology students participated in the seminar and a walk.

Students of Entomology Department also participated in a poster competition with different beekeepers slogans.

Prof. Dr Sarwat N. Mirza, vice chancellor of the University, in his address emphasised the participants to learn more and conduct research on various aspects of beekeeping as this activity augments and ensures pollination in variety of fruits and vegetables.

He said that survival of bees actually ensured the existence and survival of the mankind.

He asked the private sector to develop joint initiatives for promotion of bees in the agricultural system.

Prof. Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, dean faculty of crop and food sciences called for enhancing the capacity of the professionals and beekeepers to produce good quality honey.

He asked the faculty members to develop some good projects impacting the future market needs in reference with CPEC, one belt one road program.

He said that Pothohar, Harzara region, northern areas and AJK have a great potential in promoting beekeeping for more pollination, and quality honey production.

Earlier, Prof. Dr. Ataul Mohsin, chairman entomology department extended a warm welcome to the participants.

Published in Dawn, May 23rd, 2018