Winners of best beekeeper with dignitaries during 5th Nagaland Honey Bee Day at Kisama on December 5. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kisama | December 5
Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), Chairman Obed Quinker today said that through the interventions of the Mission, the apicultural activities in the state have moved from rudimentary to a more streamlined one involving all stakeholders across the State.
He said this during the observance of 5th Nagaland Honey Bee Day at Kisama in the presence of special guest- Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister (Planning & transformation and National Highway) TR Zeliang.
Quinker said that NBHM is the first Mission launched in the country and the forerunner in beekeeping for the entire Northeastern region. Since then, the Mission has been providing technical trainings and consultancy services to the North Eastern states.
The Mission is also a permanent registered member with National Bee Board (NBB) with numbers of progressive beekeepers registered with it. At the international level, beekeeping activities of the state has found its place in the world map through paper presentations in beekeeping conferences and workshops, leading to many bee enthusiasts and beekeepers to our unique natural beekeeping practices, also setting itinerary in visiting the state.
For the first time, the NBHM with the objective to showcase the state's rich beekeeping tradition, the bee tourism was introduced to Mima village under Kohima district which was flagged off on the November 29 from Kisama Heritage Village and this continues till the culmination of the Hornbill Festival on December 10.
Quinker said that the Bee & Honey Trail has been introduced with the main objective to promote rural tourism in boosting rural economy. The Mission also plans, in the future, to promote bee tourism in other districts & reach out to more villages where there is long standing beekeeping history and traditions.
He said that in this 24th Hornbill Festival, “The Honey Hub” has also been set up at Kisama to provide one stop for honey lovers, experience pure taste of honey from all the districts across the state, by-products of beekeeping, Apitherapy, Honey confectioneries & honey beverages, bees pollinated products from Apiary, meet our local entrepreneurs and bee experts for first hand information.
NBHM initiatives
Quinker said that beekeeping in Nagaland is presently characterized by low level technology, limited investment, low productivity, low quality and lack of market initiatives.
He said that Bees and Beekeeping is not new to Nagaland and is an age old tradition. Bee keeping as a profession has also been gaining tremendous momentum in recent times in Nagaland.
Currently, it is estimated that about 120, 400 bee hives are presently reared in Nagaland, mostly under traditional method which is a mere 5.5% of the total potential.
Since its formation, the NBHM is engaged in various promotional activities such as capacity building & trainings; Publicity, extension & studies; Apiary development & technology advancement; Post harvest & marketing services are being carried out across the state.
Since the launching of the Mission, the NBHM has up scaled honey production from 120 MT to 440 MT per annum.
He said that the achievements of the Mission have encouraged the rest of the north eastern states to launch beekeeping missions in their respective states.
Som Kamei, Planning Advisor NEC, Ministry of DONER, Dr. Collin Z Renthlei, Advisor (Technical), North East Center for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), Abhijeet Dutta Marketing Head Northeast Region TRIFED and Lanuakum Imchen, Founder Cold Mountain Organics Dimapur also spoke on the occasion.
The programme was chaired by Chubanungla Shilu, Team Member NBHM while welcome address was delivered by Sushil Kumar Patel, commissioner & Secretary APC and Mission Director NBHM delivered welcome address. Vote of thanks was proposed by Sentiwapang Aier, Additional Secretary to Chief Minister & Team Leader NBHM.
Awardees
Imtinuksang Jamir from Mokokchung district has been conferred as the State Level Best Beekeeper 2023 while Old Jalukie VBKC as the Best State Level Village Beekeeping Committee 2023.
District level best beekeeper awardees: Vitsore Kense (Chümoukedima), Mulupoyi (Chümoukedima), Ningurazo (Kohima), Thsanshimong (Kiphire), Y. Shingjei Phom (Longleng), Imtinuksang Jamir (Mokokchung), Sheakpong Konyak (Mon), Vihoto Sumi ( Niuland), Lamthaio (Noklak), Raneyi Nyekha (Phek), Aching ( Peren), K. Zhelo (Shamator), Philip (Tseminyu), Rengphamo Murry (Wokha), Ayin Mongba (Tuensang) and Akato Kini (Zunheboto).
Painting competition: 1st -Moalemla Longkumer, Hollotoli School, 2nd- Sudip Biswas, Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, 3rd- Linali Sumi, Delhi Public School.
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