Beekeepers receiving scientific bee boxes for taking up scientific beekeeping during the training programme held on March 14. (Photo Courtesy: SASRD NU)
Medziphema, March 15 (MExN): The All India Coordinated Research Project on Honey Bees and Pollinators, SASRD, Nagaland University, Medziphema conducted a one day training programme themed at ‘Scientific Beekeeping for the Farmers of Nagaland’ on March 14 under the Tribal Sub Plan (TSP) at School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema.
Pro Vice Chancellor, Prof. T Lanusosang, Medziphema Campus inaugurated the training in presence of Dean, Prof. AK Makar, Head of Department, Entomology, Prof Aleminla Ao, Beekeepers from Dimapur district and Scientific staff. Special guest Prof T Lanusosang, stressed on pollination by honey bees as the most important aspect of bee keeping while acquiring by products of a hive such as honey, wax etc. for upliftment of a farmer’s livelihood.
Prof. AK Makar, Dean, NU: SASRD also encouraged the farmers to sincerely take up beekeeping as a profession. Prof. Aleminla Ao discussed the need to adopt scientific beekeeping for increasing honey production and quality. Prof. HK Singh, Scientist In-charge, AICRP (HB&P), Department of Entomology, delivered the welcome address and also emphasised on the scope of bee keeping in the region.
The programme was chaired by Prof. AK Makar, Dean, SASRD, NU. Invocation was offered by Prof. L. Daiho, HoD, Department of Plant Pathology and vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Avinash Chauhan, Scientist, AICRP (HB&P), Department of Entomology. Altogether 30 selected farmers from Medziphema town, Rüzaphema, Tsüüma, Sirhima, Jharnapani and Medziphema villages participated in the training.
The inaugural function was followed by a technical sessions with focus on scientific beekeeping. Prof HK Singh, Scientist Incharge, AICRP (HB&P) deliberated his lecture focussing the basic Apiculture requirements for the scientific beekeeping along with he stressed more on pollination services of honey bees.
Team members from Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) served as the resource persons and demonstrated the beekeeping equipments to the beekeepers in scientific manner. The participants were later given a hands-on training on handling and management of scientific bee keeping on Apis cerana, Apis mellifera and stingless bees in the AICRP (HB&P) apiary by scientific staff of AICRP (HB&P) and NBHM team.
After the training, the beekeepers were handed out with scientific bee boxes for taking up scientific beekeeping. Otto S Awomi, Ngukho and M Thejanilie translated the important things to the beekeepers for their better understanding of scientific beekeeping.
Training Co-ordinator, Dr Avinash Chauhan, Scientist AICRP (HB&P) in his concluding remarks emphasized on the need of scientific beekeeping and specially the honey extraction techniques. He further told the reporters that the honey produced by traditional beekeeping methods is not at par with the International standards so these methods needs to be changed for uplifting the famers income by improving the honey quality for opening the avenues in International Markets.
