DIMAPUR — Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey
Mission (NBHM) held its 6th Nagaland Honey Bee Day at its multi utility centre,
6th Mile, Sovima, on Thursday on the theme “Beez vibes: Give bees a
chance."
Speaking on the occasion as special guest, the advisor to
chief minister and chairman of Investment & Development Authority of
Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha, said beekeeping is an ancient human practice and
considered as one of the most precious products of nature.
Metha stated that honey can last for thousands of years and
has so many attributes and qualities. With people becoming more health
conscious, he said honey has become a key and vital food that has no side
effects.
Metha said that the indigenous knowledge of beekeeping,
traditional methods and the techniques of farmers in managing bees should be
documented and preserved as a valuable resource for future generations.
He informed that India is targeting to become the honey
capital of the world. He added that the size of honey economy in India
currently is INR 3,000 crore and in the next 10 years, it was expected to cross
INR 5,000 crore. He, therefore, stated that even if Nagaland could achieve 1%
of that economy, it would be around INR 30 crore.
He also mentioned that the scope and future of the honey
industry in Nagaland has enormous potential.
The IDAN chairman also commended the efforts of the Nagaland
Honey Mission, for its innovative approaches and marketing strategies and
lauded the mission for empowering farmers in promoting Nagaland honey across
India and introducing plans like a honey museum.
He further highlighted the issues faced by bee farmers with
regard to breeding hornet bees which is impacting honeybee and other bee
populations. He stated that Naga society must recognise the issue and strike a
balance through the honey mission.
In his keynote address, Agriculture Production Commissioner
and Mission Director of NBHM, Wezope Kenye, highlighted that the day was
organised to honour the hardworking bees and their dedicated beekeepers.
He mentioned that Nagaland was the first state in India to
launch a dedicated mission for promoting beekeeping and honey production in
2007 and added that December 5 was declared as 'Nagaland Honey Bee Day' in
2017.
Kenye mentioned that Nagaland Honey Bee Day coincides with
the Hornbill Festival, offering an opportunity to promote the state’s
beekeeping traditions and unique honey to a global audience while boosting bee
tourism.
He informed that NBHM has trained over 25,000 beekeepers in
500 villages since its inception, increasing honey production to 440 metric
tonnes annually with a goal of 2,000 metric tonnes by 2030.
At the event, the special guest launched the Apinews and
marketing of 'Nagaland Honey' in collaboration with social commerce venture http://www.otipy.com.
A total of 16 beekeepers were awarded for their contribution
towards promoting beekeeping.
