Cuttack/Ranchi: Sri Sri University, Cuttack, hosted a capacity enhancement programme on value-added bee products, equipping beekeepers with skills to move beyond traditional honey production and tap new income streams.
Organized under the Festival of Inspiration—marking 45 years of the Art of Living Foundation and the 70th birthday of Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar—the training focused on practical techniques to develop market-ready honey products. The session was led by Dr. Seema Tripathy, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Agriculture.
Apiarists and farmers from across Odisha, including Cuttack, Khordha, Dhenkanal, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur, and Keonjhar, participated активно, reflecting rising interest in entrepreneurship and value addition in beekeeping.
A key highlight was the live demonstration of innovative products such as honey oats ladoo, beeswax lip balm, honey soap, honey chikki, chocolates, and muffins—showcasing both nutritional value and strong market potential.
Dean Prof. (Dr.) S. Kumaraswamy emphasized the need for stronger academia-farmer collaboration to drive sustainable livelihoods, while the programme also received support from Dr. Subhrajyoti Panda.
The initiative underlined the vital role of honeybees in pollination, biodiversity, and food security, while encouraging scientific and profitable apiculture practices. Vice-Chancellor Prof. Dr. Tejpartap and Director Operations Swami Satyachaitanya lauded the effort.
The programme marked a significant step toward empowering rural communities through innovation-driven, sustainable beekeeping.
