Scientific beekeeping training underway at Nagaland University

A seven-day training programme on scientific beekeeping commenced on February 9 at the project site of the School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Nagaland University, and will continue till February 15, 2026.
According to a press release from NU PRO Peter Ki, the programme is attended by 25 participants from Noklak, Sirhima and Medziphema villages, with the objective of strengthening skills, enhancing ecological awareness and promoting sustainable livelihood opportunities through apiculture.
Special guest Obed Quinker, chairman of Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), in his address, stressed that bees play a critical role in ecology and biodiversity conservation beyond honey production. He highlighted NBHM’s focus on promoting native bee species, particularly Apis cerana, and called for scientific data generation in Nagaland, noting the state’s lack of empirical records on beekeeping and pollinators. He further expressed NBHM’s willingness to collaborate with SAS, Nagaland University, in research, documentation and field-based interventions.
Pro Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, Prof. Dipak Sinha, expressed gratitude to the funding agency and appreciated the implementing team for successfully organising the training. He noted that SAS, as the only agricultural institution in the state, contributes significantly to agricultural development through teaching, research and development. He also suggested formalising such initiatives into certificate-based skill development courses to enhance employability and entrepreneurship among rural youth.
Dean of SAS, Prof. Pauline Alila, lauded the enthusiasm of participating farmers, stating that their openness to new knowledge determines the success of agricultural innovations. She emphasised the role of bees in pollination, agricultural productivity and ecosystem sustainability, adding that strengthening farmers’ understanding of apiculture contributes to resilient farming systems.
The training programme is implemented under the leadership of Dr. Mary N. Odyuo, Associate Professor and Principal Investigator, and Dr. Avinash Chauhan, Co-Principal Investigator.