The Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) organised the 6th Nagaland Honey Bee Day on December 5, 2024 at NBHM’S Multi Utility Center 6th Mile Sovima, Chümoukedima, under the theme- BeeZ Vibes “ Give bees a chance”, where Advisor to the Chief Minister & Chairman, Investment & Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN), Abu Metha graced the program as the Special Guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Metha stated that Bee keeping is an ancient human practise, it takes back thousands of years ago. Human beings discovered honeybees in the wild forest, discovered its attributes, its qualities and also inculcated the habit of beekeeping. Honey is considered as one of the most precious products, where 3000 years ago, the Egyptians kept the honeys in the tomb for their sweet transaction after life, even after thousand years it doesn’t get spoiled, he said.
Today as lifestyle changes and as people become modern conscious, honey has become a key and vital food. It’s not just a food we consume and add elements of our life but also consider a super food that does not contain any side effects and apart from health benefits, there are many other qualities which can be used for other external purposes like cosmetics, wax, craft etc, Metha added.
To enhance production, Metha suggested use of technology to add value to our honey. He also suggested documenting the indigenous knowledge of beekeeping of our farmers for future generations. He informed that today, India is targeting to become the honey capital of the world and at present the size of the honey economy in india is 3000 Crores and in 10 years it’s expected to cross 5000 Crore and even if we get 1 percent of the industrial economy to Nagaland, it’s 30 crore and the scope and future of honey industry in Nagaland is enormous.
He also mentioned the contribution of honey to the ecosystem, its importance in how bees pollinate and contribute to the rich and vast ecosystem of the world, and he appealed to make efforts not only to preserve and protect them but also to spot the possibility of enhancement of our economy for better life.
He also urged the students to understand the dynamics of bee keeping, the economic potential of bee keeping, how one can have a better life and career’s and at the same time contribute towards a healthy ecosystem of our environment. He further appealed to the young minds to be like a sponge and absorb as much knowledge as possible from the technical session because they are going to be our future leaders.
He congratulated the chairman and team leader of NBHM for developing a vibrant and out of the box approach in marketing honey and creating opportunities for the farmers in Nagaland. Also thanked the farmers and assured full help from the government to improve and enhance their beekeeping. He also congratulated the department for making efforts to set up the first Honey Museum in the Northeast and introducing the concept of honey tourism to tourists outside the state and the storytelling process of honey in Nagaland.
In his keynote address, Agriculture Production Commissioner & Mission Director, NBHM, Wezope Kenye, IAS said that Nagaland was the first state to have launched a dedicated mission in the year 2007 for the promotion of beekeeping and honey activities in the country to create a conducive environment for enhancing the existing potentials through technology reach and beekeeping development interventions. Nagaland is also the first State in the country to have decided to declare 5th December of every year as the ‘Nagaland Honey Bee Day’ through a cabinet approval in the year 2017, and since then NBHM have organized and celebrated ‘Nagaland Honey Bee Day’ annually.
He expressed that NBHM chose a theme to send out a strong message for the upcoming ‘Z’ generation of youngsters to give the bees a chance. The theme aims to instil a sense of curiosity and sensitize the young people on the importance of honeybees and beekeeping. At the same time with a vision to inspire young people to be bee lovers and encourage them to take up beekeeping as an appealing activity for economic and ecological benefits as laid down in NBHM’s motto “eco bee”.
Further highlighted that, since its inception in 2007, NBHM has trained over 25,000 beekeepers across 500 villages. Their efforts have increased our state’s honey production to approximately 440 metric tonnes per year. However, it aims higher with a target of 2000 metric tonnes by 2030. He informed that, this year, NBHM introduced ‘Bee Tourism’ during the Hornbill Festival. Visitors experienced firsthand traditional beekeeping practices, especially in Mima village, known as the ‘Honey Village.’ This initiative not only promotes our culture but also boosts the local economy, he said.
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Highlights of the program include welcome address by Sentiwapang Aier, Additional Secretary to Chief Minister, & Team Leader, NBHM. Chairman’s address by Obed Quinker, Chairman, Nagaland Beekeeping & Honey Mission. Experience sharing by Menolhoukho Khate Peren District and Medoneizo Putsure CEO Jome Foods Pvt Ltd. The resource persons of technical session were Temjenchuba K Char; Letgong Patrick and Nzanbemo K Lotha where they gave a presentation on the topic – Overview of beekeeping – with special reference to Nagaland; Importance of bees, beekeeping & honey; and Scope of beekeeping in Nagaland respectively.
Earlier, Advisor, Abu Metha released Apinews as well as launched the website Marketing of ‘Nagaland Honey’ in collaboration with social commerce venture http://www.otipy.com.
District level award for best Beekeeper 2024 were- Yansomong Sangphur Village, Shamator; Neikeyiekho, Kacharigaon Village, Dimapur; Mantok Phom, Orangkong village, Longleng; Samuel Semy, Terogvuny village, Tseminyu; Shiying, Lengnyu, Noklak; G. Kiyekhe Zhimomi, Ghokuto, Niulan; K P Sangte, Monyakshu, Mon; Khekato Jimomi, Satakha old, Zunheboto; Zanao Yanthan, Elumyo, Wokha; Namang Wongto, Chingmei Tuensang; Vikuolie Keyientsu, Rusoma, Kohima; P. Cheshmew , Ohuvkiu, Kiphire; Menolhoukho Khate, Punglwa Peren; Dr. Sentiwati Aier, Yisemyong Mokokchung; and Ruvicato Siria, Ruaogema, Chümoukedima.
S.Keoshu Yimchunger, Advisor, Youth Resource and Sports; Nuzota Swuro, Chairman, NBDA; Kuputo Shohe, Chairman NSMDC; DC, Chumoukedima and Dimapur also attended the program.
