Consultative meet on floriculture, apiculture held at Wokha

A consultative meeting and capacity-building workshop on floriculture and apiculture was held at the DC’s Conference Hall, Wokha, in collaboration with the district administration and CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat, on April 8.
During the programme, farmers were trained in beekeeping techniques, including the use of improved honeybee boxes and essential equipment. Officials highlighted that modern bee boxes developed at NEIST Jorhat enable harvesting up to eight times a year, compared to only two harvests annually with traditional local boxes. To bridge this gap, farmers were taught low-cost methods of making effective bee boxes and were also provided with improved, affordable boxes to enhance productivity.
NEIST officials also conducted field inspections, offering hands-on guidance on flower harvesting, pest control, and seed preservation for future plantation cycles. Addressing the gathering, deputy commissioner Wokha, Vineet Kumar, urged farmers to remain proactive in adopting improved agricultural practices and to actively collaborate with CSIR-NEIST. He noted that Wokha is currently the only district in Nagaland working with NEIST Jorhat and expressed confidence that with proper coordination, the district could emerge as a model in agricultural innovation.
He further advised chamomile growers to utilize their land for additional crops after plantation instead of leaving it fallow, stressing that effective resource use and continuous engagement with technical agencies would strengthen the district’s agricultural economy.
Farmers were also provided bee boxes and other essential items for beekeeping.