Kargil: A Kargil-based agricultural institute has developed an innovative method to extract honey from buckwheat crops, creating new opportunities for sustainable agriculture and rural livelihood development.
According to officials, the initiative at the School of Agriculture Science and Technology (SAST), Kargil Campus, University of Ladakh, is part of ongoing efforts to promote apiculture in the region.
Earlier in 2019, honey was successfully extracted from alfalfa crops at the same institute, which was then known as the Mountain Agriculture Research and Extension Station, Kargil.
“This year, SAST Kargil prepared a floral calendar and introduced bee colonies in sync with the flowering periods of alfalfa and buckwheat. As a result, honey was successfully extracted from both crops — marking a significant milestone as buckwheat honey was produced for the first time,” an institute official said.
The official added that the buckwheat crop was sown on July 22, and bee colonies from the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir were introduced on August 24, coinciding with the flowering stage.
After a gap of about six weeks, honey extraction was carried out — a historic achievement for the region. The official noted that buckwheat honey production opens up promising avenues for sustainable farming, rural income generation, and biodiversity conservation.
The unique altitude and climate of Kargil, he said, have endowed the honey with a distinct aroma and taste, distinguishing it from other regional varieties and highlighting the region’s potential for premium honey production.
The institute now plans to expand bee colonies across more villages, focus on honey branding and marketing, and work toward securing a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kargil’s buckwheat honey as a specialty product in the near future.
