230 farmers trained in scientific beekeeping

All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP), Department of Entomology, School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Nagaland University, conducted six extensive training programmes on scientific beekeeping with stinging and stingless bees and conservation of wild Apis species under the theme “Bees for Better Tomorrow”. The trainings were held from February 6 to March 18, 2026 at Thekrejuma village (Kohima), Ruzaphema, Khusomi (Phek), and in-house sessions for farmers from Srihima, Medziphema, Chümoukedima, Beisumpuikam, Pungalwa (Peren) and Longkim (Tuensang).
Altogether, 230 farmers and state officials were trained. A special session on scientific meliponiculture was also organised with participation of scientists from Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.
The programmes included demonstrations, field visits to apiaries and meliponiaries, and hands-on training. Topics covered ranged from site selection, bee species identification, apiary and meliponiary management, queen rearing, migration, plantation of bee flora, honey production, value addition, marketing, faunal diversity of bees, handling, quality production and pollination.
Resource persons included Dr. Avinash Chauhan (scientist & PI, AICRP HB&P, SAS NU), Dr. Imtinaro L (CI & HOD I/C, SAS NU), Dr. Pankaj Neog (HoD, Entomology), Dr. Mukul K. Deka (Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat), Dr. Manha Bathari (DBT project on sustainable beekeeping), Dr. Tinatoli Sema, Dr. Waluniba, Dr. Hijam Shila Devi, Dr. Sabbithi Pavan, Dr. Sandeep Kumar and Dr. Damitri Lytan.
Meanwhile, in-house trainings at SAS NU provided practical exposure on bees and other pollinators. Altogether, 33 lectures and 22 demonstrations were conducted. Resource persons emphasized adopting scientific beekeeping to improve farmers’ income and highlighted the role of bees in biodiversity conservation.
The programmes concluded with distribution of scientific bee boxes to participants.