Honey products from Nagaland have been on an increase over the years with a 35% rise in honey yield in the State since the past three years. (Morung Photo)
• Agri Minister urges beekeepers to avail schemes
• MoU for marketing pineapples from Nagaland
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 11
Honey production in Nagaland has increased by over 35 percent over the past three years. According to Dr N K Patle, Additional Commissioner (Horticulture) & Managing Director, National Bee Board, the total honey production for the year 2020-21 stood at 650 metric tonnes.
Dr Patle, who is also the Director Incharge of the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH) made the disclosure during the ‘Beekeepers Summit & Horti Expo’ organised at the CIH campus, Medziphema on November 11. The event, part of the ongoing 75th Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, was addressed by Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare via video conference.
The harvest for 2020-21 marked a 5-fold increase from the 120 metric tonnes produced in 2007. In 2018, the production for the year was 420 metric tonnes.
Dr Patle, who is also the Director Incharge of the Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), said that Nagaland and the north-east region have huge potential in the beekeeping sector. At present, he said that 232 beekeeping societies/firms and 4265 bee colonies have been registered with the National Bee Board from Nagaland.
While stating that there is a huge market for honey and related products, domestically and internationally, he emphasized that beekeepers should work in groups for to scale up production. Considering the demand, Dr Patle informed that Dimapur and Peren districts have been identified for establishing ‘Farmer Producer Organizations’ (FPOs) of beekeepers under the Central government’s programme for ‘Formation and Promotion of 10,000 new FPOs.’
The Union Minister also virtually inaugurated a newly constructed Farmers’ Hostel built a cost of Rs.3 cr within the CIH campus. With ample accommodation, it was informed that the hostel will host farmers from the NE region for training and other programmes.
Tomar, in his address, said that the Union government has beekeeping-oriented schemes and that through the national Honey Mission, the government will provide technical support besides market linkage in collaboration with National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED).
While stating that the Honey Mission will benefit marginal beekeepers of the region, he requested the beekeepers to avail the various government schemes to support small farmers.
Tomar also formally launched 7 different types of fermented beverages and candy prepared from locally available but underutilized fruits manufactured by NG Baio, founder & owner of Hills Foods from Senapati, Manipur; and Naga King Chilli Pickle prepared by Vuseno Yakhro, founder & owner of Dwellington Home, Kohima.
As per the CIH, the entrepreneurs initiated the startup after undergoing 3 months Certificate Course on Post Harvest Management at the institute. Certificates were also distributed to 10 Accredited Nurseries of North East Region.
Vegetable seed kits were also distributed to the farmers in commemoration of the International Year of Fruits & Vegetables 2021 under Aatma Nirbhar Krishi.
As per the CIH, more than 150 farmers attended the programme physically and around 100 officials and dignitaries from the North East and the country attended the programme virtually.
Mhathung Tsopoe, Team member, Nagaland Bee & Honey Mission (NBHM) gave a presentation of “Pollination-Production & Productivity of Agriculture & Horticulture Crops by Bee-Pollinating Services” and Nzanbemo K Lotha, Team member, NBHM spoke on “Quality Control of Honey & Marketing Strategy.”
Local producers and agriculture-related departments of the state government displayed exhibits during the summit.
MoU for pineapple marketing
A memorandum of understanding was signed between Molsang Organic Pineapple Producers Company, Nagaland and Satsumi Farms LLP, New Delhi for marketing of Pineapple during the summit. A press release quoted Dr Praveen Singh of Satsumi Farms commenting that Nagaland produces “the sweetest and juiciest pineapple in India.”
