Beekeepers in Himachal Pradesh to get financial aid

Shimla: To provide financial assistance to the bonafide Himachal farmers, especially women and physically challenged farmers, the state government has started the Mukhya Mantri Madhu Vikas Yojna to encourage beekeeping.
The focus of the scheme will be on developing small apiaries, popularization of honey and other bee products. Under the scheme, assistance will be provided for beekeeping of a maximum 50 colonies.The keepers will be given 80% cost amounting to Rs 1,600 per colony per beneficiary.
For beehives, 50 beehives per beneficiary will be provided with an assistance of 80% cost amounting to Rs 1,600 per beehives made by kail, pine, mango and other woods of specified standard. In each district, a breeder of 300 bee colonies will be given Rs 3 lakh per bee breeder. An assistance of 50% of the cost amounting to Rs 5,000 will be given to 100 beekeepers.