Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 26
Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said that a “land-locked” state like Nagaland should capitalize on its own readily available resources and indigenous knowledge in order to boost the state’s economy and industries.
The Chief Minister who inaugurated the multi-utility centre of the Nagaland Bee & Honey Mission (NBHM) at 6th Mile, Dimapur, said that it is very difficult to take up economic activities in a land-locked and mountainous state like Nagaland.
Rio also said that importing labour and resources to set up industries in the state would prove to be a costly affair and is not viable at all. Therefore, Nagaland has to explore its own area of strength and bank on its own resources, rich biodiversity and indigenous knowledge for the State’s industries and enterprises to make a dent in the global market.
He said in this direction, NBHM is doing a commendable job by taking up bee and honey mission on a war footing and enhancing production of honey from 120 metric tonnes in 2007 to 350 metric tonnes in 2012. “We have a vision to increase honey production in the state from present 350 metric tonnes to 5,000 metric tonnes in the 12th five year plan”, the Chief Minister said.
Rio said that Nagaland with more than 80 percent forest cover of the State’s total area, 70 percent of population engaged in agricultural activities and a biodiversity hot-spot, is an ideal land for bee keeping. However, in order to attain that vision, he said it will require join efforts of the state government, NBHM and other stakeholders including bee keepers.
Conceding that the government can do only as much as playing the role of “facilitator”, Rio said the real business of enhancing honey production lies in the hands of local bee keepers.
He urged NBHM officials to impart sufficient training to the bee keepers and to upgrade their indigenous and traditional bee keeping skills with application of modern technologies. Rio also challenged the young entrepreneurs to take up beekeeping as a lucrative business.
“We (government) will give political support to bee and honey mission because we have the political will to popularize honey in Nagaland”, Rio added. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the official website of NHBM and released a book “Traditional underground bee keeping in Mima village, Nagaland.”
The Chief Minister was accompanied by a host of NPF legislators including Parliamentary Secretaries, Advisors and Chairmen of various undertakings.
Mission Director and Team Leader NBHM, Mhathung Yanthan, highlighted on achievements and activities of NBHM since its inception in 2007. Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Alemtemshi Jamir, also spoke on the occasion.
The multi-utility building constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 120 lakhs includes a bee museum, library and honey testing laboratory. Adjacent to the multi-utility building is the honey processing centre constructed earlier at a cost of Rs. 20 lakhs.
State Agriculture Production Commissioner and Principal Secretary, HK Khulu, chaired the programme. It may be mentioned Nagaland is the first state in the country to launch the bee and honey mission.
