DIMAPUR, MARCH 19 (MExN): The All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Honey Bees and Pollinators under the Department of Entomology, School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Nagaland University conducted a series of training programmes on scientific beekeeping and meliponiculture across multiple districts in Nagaland.
According to a press release issued by SAS, the trainings were held under the theme “Bees For Better Tomorrow” from February 6 to March 18, covering villages including Thekrejuma in Kohima district, Ruzaphema in Peren district, Khusomi in Phek district, and in-house sessions at SAS for participants from Srihima, Medziphema, Chumoukedima, Beisumpuikam, Pungalwa, and Longkim in Tuensang district.
Altogether, 230 farmers and state officials participated in the training programmes conducted over one to three days. The initiative focused on scientific beekeeping practices involving both stinging and stingless bees, along with conservation of wild Apis species.
A special training on scientific meliponiculture, focusing on the rearing and management of stingless bees, was also organised. Bee scientists from Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar participated in the programme.
The release informed that the training sessions included field visits to farmers’ apiaries and meliponiaries to demonstrate scientific techniques and promote adoption of improved practices.
Participants attending in-house sessions at SAS Nagaland University were also provided hands-on training and practical demonstrations on bees and other pollinators.
Topics covered during the sessions included site selection for apiaries and meliponiaries, selection of quality nucleus stock, plantation of bee flora, identification of bee species, management practices, queen rearing, migration of bees, and production and marketing of honey and other bee products. The role of pollination in crop management and ecosystem sustenance was also discussed.
The inaugural sessions in the villages were conducted by respective village council authorities, while the in-house programmes were inaugurated by the SAS administration in the presence of campus officials. These were followed by technical sessions led by resource persons including Dr Avinash Chauhan, Scientist and Principal Investigator, AICRP HB&P, SAS Nagaland University; Dr Imtinaro, CI and HoD (i/c); Dr Pankaj Neog, Head, Department of Entomology; Dr Mukul K Deka, Principal Scientist, AICRP HB&P, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat; Dr Manha Bathari, Scientist and Principal Investigator, DBT project on Sustainable Beekeeping; along with Dr Tinatoli Sema, Dr Waluniba, Dr Hijam Shila Devi, Dr Sabbithi Pavan, Dr Sandeep Kumar, and Dr Damitri Lytan.
The resource persons urged farmers to adopt scientific beekeeping practices to enhance income, noting that traditional methods limit productivity. They also highlighted the role of bees in conserving flora and fauna and maintaining ecological balance.
A total of 33 lectures and 22 demonstrations were conducted during the programme, along with hands-on training on various aspects of beekeeping. Technologies related to apiculture and meliponiculture, including transfer and multiplication of bee colonies, queen rearing, use of scientific hives, and management of swarming and pests, were demonstrated.
The programmes concluded with distribution of scientific bee boxes to participants. Trainees shared feedback and requested that more such trainings be organised in the future.
