DIMAPUR — The Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) team led by its chairman Obed Quinker and team leader Sentiwapang Aier held a programme with members of Seithekema ‘C’ Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) on May 25 at Seithekema ‘C’ village, Chümoukedima district.
The Van Dhan Vikas Kendra ((VDVK) is a programme supported by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, with NBHM as one of the implementing agencies, stated a press release issued by the NBHM .
The programme was held in the presence of women members of 10 self help groups (SHGs) from three cluster villages, namely Seithekema ‘C’, Seithekema Old and Seithekema ‘A.’ Village council members and GBs of the three villages were also present in the programme.
The NBHM chairman, in his speech, said that Seithekema ‘C’ and its surrounding villages were selected due to the strategic landmark of the area, since the three villages are located in an area where the plain ends and the hills starts.
Quinker said that the area has the potentials for growing and harvesting both hilly area crops and plain area crops.
He went on to state that NBHM, as the implementing agency, has provided the required training and skilling as well as the requisite tools and equipment to the beneficiaries of the three villages.
He hoped that through the Van Dhan programme, the livelihoods of the people in the selected villages would improve.
He further stated that government programmes are always meant for the welfare of the public and urged the gathering to lend support and cooperation to all government schemes and projects, whether big or small.
He added that through the effective performances at the grassroots, a chain reaction would be set rolling and the implementing agencies would be encouraged to come forward to provide more schemes for the benefit of the populace at the grassroots.
Sentiwapang Aier, the team leader of NBHM, in his keynote address, said that TRIFED had come forward to support NBHM to be one of the implementing agencies of the VDVK programmes, after seeing the sincerity, progress and achievements of the NBHM activities.
He said that the NBHM has been implementing the beekeeping and honey development programmes in the state since its inception, as a part of the farming activity and for enhancing livelihood of communities. The introduction of the VDVK programmes would further provide diversified livelihood activities and opportunities along with the beekeeping activities, he added.
Aier also remarked that under the programme, honey and its byproducts, as minor forest products, is being taken up in those districts where there is more forest coverage and where beekeeping activities has taken up on a larger scale.
He further informed that the VDVKs of different districts have taken up different activities based on their location and the resources available in their respective areas.
Noting that the Seithkema VDVK cluster villages have aptly taken up value additions of various MFPs as part of their SHG activities, he said they have the added advantage of a ready nearby market due to their proximity to commercial towns.
On behalf of the three village councils, VDB secretary of Seithekema ‘C’ Alo Rengma, expressed gratitude to NBHM for uplift and promotion of womenfolk of different SHG groups through different training programmes.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Mhabeni Ezung, treasurer of the VDVK, a report on the van dhan activities was delivered by VDVK secretary Medeno Angami, a dedicatory prayer for the tools and machineries was pronounced by VDVK member Pfuzero Thepa, while VDVK president Thezano Makritsu delivered the vote of thanks.
The programme was chaired by Chubanungla Shilu, NBHM team member in charge of Chümoukedima and Dimapur districts.
The introductory programme was followed by demonstration session of the tools and equipment by Mhathung Tsopoe, team member NBHM and coordinator of TRIFED, along with Akumyanger, project assistant, NBHM.