Scientific Beekeeping Training Expands Across A&N Islands to Empower Rural Communities
The Department of Agriculture, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, in collaboration with the National Bee Board under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), has launched a series of district-level training programs on scientific beekeeping aimed at enhancing rural livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The initiative, which began in early March and continues through July, is being conducted across multiple Panchayats including Nabagram, Kalighat, Sitanagar, Shibpur, Keralapuram, and Subashgram. Each two-day session combines theoretical instruction with hands-on field training, equipping participants with the skills needed to manage bee colonies, install hives, and harvest honey effectively.
Key highlights of the training include:
- Day 1: Technical presentations on bee biology, hive assembly, pollination benefits, and disease management.
- Day 2: Field visits to demonstration farms for practical exposure to hive setup, honey extraction, and colony maintenance.
The sessions have drawn enthusiastic participation from Self-Help Groups (SHGs), progressive farmers, and youth across the islands. Experts from the Agriculture Department and CIARI (Central Island Agricultural Research Institute) have led discussions on the ecological and economic importance of beekeeping, emphasizing its role in biodiversity conservation and crop productivity.
Participants also received exposure to modern beekeeping equipment, including protective gear and hive tools, with subsidies available under the High Value Agriculture scheme. The training underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering self-employment opportunities and environmentally sustainable livelihoods in the region.
Interested individuals are encouraged to contact their nearest Agriculture sub-depot to register for upcoming sessions and avail support for initiating beekeeping ventures.
