Rashtrapati Bhawan tastes its first home-grown honey

The apiary of the largest Presidential edifice in the world – Rashtrapati Bhawan – has now started giving the yields. On Tuesday, a new era begun in the nectar-producing gardens of Presidential edifice, having abundant flora and fauna, including lush trees of mangoes, Indian blackberries (Jamun), Neem and drumsticks, when more than 186 kilograms of honey was extracted in presence of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Chairman, Vinai Kumar Saxena and Secretary to the President, Sanjay Kothari.

Earlier, the frames of bee-boxes were removed in presence of the dignitaries and honey was extracted before them in stainless steel containers. Later, it was packed in bottles, displaying the name of Rashtrapati Bhawan. The dignitaries also tasted the extracted honey as well as lemonade made out of it.

Appreciating the efforts of KVIC in this connection, Sanjay Kothari said that it was a commendable job done by KVIC, as it not only launched an apiculture training course for the 50 gardeners of Rashtrapati Bhawan – in which the gardeners were also apprised of the comprehensive scope and significance of apiculture, important considerations, tips to care and maintain the apiaries, and value of beekeeping in maintaining the flora and fauna; it also installed many bee-boxes in different phases in the Rashtrapati Bhawan premises. "This initiative from KVIC will certainly increase the yield of horticulture and floriculture in and around the President estate," Kothari said, adding, "We have plans to use this honey and related products to use as gift items for the foreign dignitaries, visiting Rashtrapati Bhawan."

VK Saxena said that the beekeeping program would be a bonanza for the 16,000 flowers and plants in the Rashtrapati Bhawan premises, which remained untapped for ages. "Due to abundant trees and greenery, this area is suitable for pollination and it will massively increase the yield of the crops in the neighbouring areas. As honey has rich minerals and proteins along with the best quality of antioxidants, there is a need that people should adopt cultivation of honey as their hobby in their farmhouses and bungalows," he said, adding, "It is a proud moment that the first yield of Prime Minister's 'sweet revolution' in Delhi and NCR is being extracted from the house of the first citizen of the nation."

On August 19, last year, Ram Nath Kovind had himself visited the apiary in the Rashtrapati Bhawan garden.