Nepali honey wins int'l award

JUMLA, Oct 24: Honey produced in Jumla district has been declared as the best quality honey at the 71st International Honey Show held in London. Farmers in the district process honey produced by rare bee species named Apis Serana found only in Karnali zone and Jammu & Kashmir of India.



Dr Nomi Savil, a British citizen who started modern bee farming in Jumla, Sunday handed over the certificate to Shivalal Dangi, president of Karnali Bee Co-operative Society. Farmers in Jumla have been involved in commercial bee farming with the support of Dr Savil since 1995.[break]



“Jumla is home to wide varieties of flowers that are available only in the highlands of the Himalayas. Honey produced here are of high quality because bees feed on nectar of wide varieties of native flowers,” said Dhanjit Budha, vice president of Karnali Bee Co-operative Society. He further added that the award will encourage more farmers toward commercial beekeeping.



Though there is a high demand for honey produced in the district in different parts of the country, the production is inadequate to meet even the demand of the district. There is an annual demand for five tons of honey in Jumla district, but local farmers are producing only around three tons, Dangi informed.

More than 2,000 farmers in the district are involved in commercial beekeeping. Meanwhile, Karnali Bee Co-operative Society felicitated Dr Savil for her contribution in promoting honey produced in the district in international arena.

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