In a bid to empower rural youth and foster entrepreneurship, a transformative lecture was held at the School of Business Studies (SBS), Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). It was organized by PAU-Farm Advisory Service Centre, Ferozepur, a leading agricultural research and extension center committed to empowering farmers (Skill Training of Rural Youth) and rural communities through innovative technologies and sustainable practices. The event aimed to illuminate the significant role beekeeping could play in creating sustainable livelihoods and fostering economic growth in rural areas.

A delegation of 20 trainees, consisting of young rural blood and led by Dr Gurpreet Singh Makkar, Senior Extension Scientist and Training Coordinator of FASC Ferozepur, attended the lecture.

Dr Ramandeep Singh, Director, SBS, captivated the audience with his informative lecture on the critical role of rural youth in driving entrepreneurial projects that create job possibilities. Dr Singh methodically addressed the often-overlooked link between beekeeping and marketing, emphasising the importance of focusing on the four core marketing elements: product, place, price, and promotion. He highlighted the importance of diversifying marketing techniques and developing new ways to effectively market honey and honey based products. Furthermore, he underscored the significant role of packaging, branding, and labelling in increasing honey based product visibility and marketability.

Drawing parallels between agriculture and agribusiness, Dr Singh elucidated the significance of using an agribusiness-oriented strategy to transform traditional agricultural techniques into profitable venture. He astutely addressed the numerous hurdles that entrepreneurs may face on their path and provided practical techniques for overcoming these obstacles. The presentation concluded with a vote of appreciation and a commemorative group portrait, corresponding to the FASC trainees’ dedication for promoting rural entrepreneurship and exploiting beekeepers’ ability to create socio-economic development in rural communities.