Chumoukedima
4th Nagaland Honey Bee Day observed
Our Reporter
Dimapur, Dec. 5 (EMN): The 4th Nagaland Honey Bee Day 2022, organised by Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission, was held on Monday at NBHM, Multi-utility Centre, 6th Mile, Chümoukedima.
Addressing the event as chief patron, Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) and Mission Director of Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission, Y Kikheto Sema, said the Northeast Region and Nagaland in particular, is a blessed land, a land untouched by the Green Revolution and a land, which is has one of the youngest soils in the world.
Sema said there is lot of potential in the state, but due to its geographical and topographical condition, there is no potential for large or medium-scale industries.
The only potential is agro-base industries as the state is blessed with eco-climatic condition, he said.
Stating that the Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission has undertaken lots of activities, the APC mentioned that in terms of production and quality of honey, Nagaland stands at the top position in the whole Northeast. Besides, the other Northeast states come to Nagaland to get training related to beekeeping.
Sema stated that out of the state’s land area of 16575 sq. km, 66% of the land area has the potential for beekeeping and if that is utilised, the production of honey can be enhanced to the tune of 10,000 MT and 10 MT of bee wax.
He also said the state’s vision is to produce 4 lakh bee colonies, 2000 MT of honey and 2 MT of bee wax by 2030. If Nagaland can achieve this vision, then the state would be able to earn around INR 100 crore.
With the state currently harvesting around 440 MT per year, he said in order to achieve the set target and vision, 195 MT should be added every year.
Dr. Moasisang Longkumer of Central Institute of Horticulture also spoke on the occasion. Shancholo Ezong of VDVK Chukitong, Wokha, and Medopoyi, a progressive beekeeper from Bade village, also shared their success stories.
The event was followed by the planting of bee foraging plants and a visit to exhibition stalls by the APC and other officials.