Boost for bee farming

P.P.G. Sugathadasa- Thihagoda group corr.

The Southern Provincial Ministry of Agriculture has taken measures to commence a project for establishing "Bee farming villages" in the region.

The Divisional Secretariat Division of Kirinda in Puhulwella, had already been identified for this purpose under the first phase of the programme, SPC Agriculture, Agrarian Services, Irrigation, Environment and Livestock Development Minister Wijaya S. Weerasinha said. According to SPC Ministry of Agriculture officials, 18 farmers have currently been selected for the "Bee farming village" project. 68 boxes have been distributed among them at Rs. 1,050 each.

An allocation of nearly Rs 72,000 has been made for the purpose.

The SPC Ministry of Agriculture was funding the project.

The development of the 'bee keeping' programmes in the Southern region and also economical empowerment of those engaged in these activities, would be twin objectives of these endeavours, SPC Agriculture Minister Wijaya S. Weerasinha further added.