ITANAGAR, 8 Oct: The Arunachal Pradesh Khadi and Village Industries Board (APKVIB) organised an awareness programme on 'Beekeeping & eri and mulberry silk cluster development' in Jote-Poma in Sangdupota circle of Papum Pare district on Thursday.

Among others, 100 farmers, representatives from SHG clusters, APKVIB officials, panchayat leaders, village GB, and villagers attended the programme.

APKVIB Chairman Maling Gombu explained the mandate and function of the APKVIB and its role in the development of khadi and silk sector and agro gramin udyog in consultation with the Department of Sericulture, Department of Textile & Handloom, and Department of Agri-Horti on a convergence mode.

He said that Arunachal, with its suitable agro-climatic conditions and large availability of fertile land with varied temperate zones, has huge potential to produce silk.

APKVIB Development Officer and beekeeping expert Hompu Techi Tadar gave a detailed presentation on beekeeping and its uses, and the special quality of honey that is specific to Arunachal.

She said that beekeeping is important because it helps in pollination and maintaining the ecosystem. She further said that the APKVIB would provide handholding in processing, packaging and marketing of honey produced by the bee farmers.

APKVIB Vice Chairman Tagin Siga spoke on the initiatives of both central and state governments for the development of micro, small and medium enterprise at the state level.

A discussion on beekeeping and silk development was also held during question-answer session.