Daily Times

A seminar to observe World Bee Day was held at the Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) here on Tuesday.

The seminar was organized by the PMAS-AAUR’s Department of Entomology with an aim to create awareness about importance of bees in pollination and as a source of honey and other products like wax royal jelly etc. Participants were told about habitat conservation (bee flora) for bees and other pollinators.

PMAS-AAUR Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Sarwat N Mirza was the chief guest while speakers and participants from government and private sectors along with beekeepers and a big number of faculty members, students participated in the seminar. An awareness walk also organized for the same purpose. Students of Entomology Department also held participated a poster competition.

In his address, Prof Dr Sarwat N Mirza stressed the need to conduct research on various aspects of beekeeping. He added that survival of bees actually ensure the existence and survival of the mankind. He encouraged the private sector to come forward and develop joint initiatives for promotion of beekeeping for agricultural purposes.

Prof. Dr. Nadeem Akhtar Abbasi, dean Faculty of Crop and Food Sciences, called for capacity building of professionals and beekeepers to produce good quality honey. He asked the faculty members to develop some good projects impacting the future market needs. He added that Potohar, Harzara region, northern areas and AJK had a great potential in promoting beekeeping.

Earlier, Prof Dr Ataul Mohsin, chairman Entomology Department, extended a warm welcome to the participants and briefly explained the objectives of the seminar.

Dr. Asif Aziz, focal person of this seminar, delivered a presentation on prospects of beekeeping in Pakistan and shared with the participants ongoing beekeeping activities at PMAS-AAUR.

Dr Asif Rafique of Agriculture Department briefed the participants about bee potential in pollinating the agricultural crops and ongoing activities of the department in this regard.

Dr Asim Gulzar gave a presentation on the role of bumble bees in controlled agriculture like tunnels, glass houses, green houses and the hydroponics systems.

At the end, Prof Dr Sarwat N Mirza and Dr Nadeem Akhtar Ababsi presented certificates to the winners of the poster competition.

Later, the chief guest visited the stalls organised outside of the seminar room where different beekeeping equipment were displayed. Afterwards, all the participants held an awareness walk to raise the importance of the day.

Published in Daily Times, May 23^rd 2018.