Training programme on honeybee keeping and beehive making held
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 11 2022: A three-day 'Training Programme on Honeybee Keeping and Beehive Making' was held at the Community Hall of Khamasom Walely Village, Ukhrul district on Monday organised by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS) and Yang Honey Promotion Society (YHPS).

As per a statement, Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State, External Affairs & Education, Dr Homen Thangjam, faculty of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Kamesh Salam, Executive Director, South Asia Bamboo Foundation, Judgeson Kasomwoshi, Chairman, Khamasom Walely Village Authority, K Vareiyo, President, YHPS and M Khelendro Singh, President, AIMS, graced the function as the chief guest and guests of honour respectively.

Meanwhile Teruaki Watanabe was the special guest and Dr I Meghachandra Singh, Joint Director, ICAR, Lamphelpat, Manipur presided the function.

Training programme on honeybee keeping and beehive making held

The function was a fusion of virtual and off-line one in which various stakeholders from different parts of the world and Walely villagers participated.

Judgeson Kasomwoshi, as the host of the programme, warmly welcomed the participants.

In his virtual message to the gathering, Dr Ranjan Singh apprised how certain members of the Indian Parliament were taking keen interest in promoting organic honey as a source of livelihood for the rural population of India.

He emphasized that such initiative can certainly improve the villagers in Manipur.

And according to him, beekeeping and honey production provide such alternative livelihood chances.

Kamesh Salam focused on the need for producing organic honey for sustainable economy through the use of bamboo beehive boxes.

According to him, bamboo grows aplenty in Ukhrul district and if the villagers upgrade their craftsmanship in making bamboo bee boxes, this could be another means of earning livelihood income.

Khelendro Singh representing AIMS stated that much precious natural wealth is lost on account of human mis-direction and instantaneous greed.

He added that beekeeping is one alternative in which even the womenfolk can participate equally with their male counterparts.

Dr Homen Thangjam also emphasized on eco-friendly sustainable development.

According to him, there would be no food, fruits and seeds without bees, which are the primary agents of pollination.

Teruaki Watanabe in his brief address emphasized on producing organic honey, which carries the potential of being a rich food as well as medicine.

He recommended setting up a honey testing centre in the village.

He also expressed his willingness to import honey from Walely to Japan and provide assistance in quality production processes.

K Vareiyo expressed that for centuries the Tangkhuls of Khamasom had practiced the art of beekeeping.

According to him the old generation could positively exploit the conducive environment for bee culture including the natural vegetation, geographical terrain and the climatic condition.

In his online presidential address Dr I Meghachandra stressed on the need to investigate the prospects of transforming honey production to village industry by applying modern technology.

However, to bring about this kind of radical transformation Government support is immensely needed.

While proposing the vote of thanks, N Ratan emphasized on the sincerity and integrity of Walely villagers to make the village a destination of eco-tourism and work towards making honey the precious village product of Khamasom Walely.