Tura, March 31: Under the leadership of NEHU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla and Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Fameline K. Marak, the Incubation Centre (LBI-MSME Incubator) at NEHU Tura is transforming the livelihoods of rural apiculture farmers in Meghalaya.

Through capacity-building initiatives, technical training, and market linkages, the centre is strengthening honey production in the region.

On March 26, the centre, in collaboration with the District Commerce and Industries Centre (DCIC), South West Khasi Hills, and ICAR-NIBSM, Raipur, organized a Skill Training Cum Workshop on Scientific Techniques for Organic Honey Production and Marketing Strengthening in Meghalaya at the DCIC Conference Hall, Mawkyrwat. During the event, DCIC officials M. War and G.G. Lyngdoh highlighted the centre’s efforts in improving the economic prospects of around 300 apiculture farmers in the district.

Dr. R. Sasikumar, Nodal Officer of the Incubation Centre, noted that Meghalaya, with its rich biodiversity and favorable climate, produces 40–50 metric tons of organic honey annually. Notably, Mykerwad in South West Khasi Hills has been designated as a honey production hub under the Government of India’s One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. However, challenges such as low productivity, inadequate processing, lack of branding, and weak marketing strategies continue to limit the growth of local honey farmers.

To address these issues, NEHU Tura’s Incubation Centre has been actively working to strengthen the honey value chain. Under the “Mithi Kranti” (Honey Revolution) initiative, aligned with the national Honey Mission, the centre has been promoting scientific beekeeping and improving honey production across the state. It has also facilitated direct procurement of raw honey, eliminating middlemen and ensuring fair prices for farmers. At the workshop, the centre purchased 250 kg of organic honey from three farmer clusters in Mykerwad.

Since its inception, the Incubation Centre has supported over 600 apiculture farmers across Meghalaya, equipping them with scientific beekeeping techniques and access to larger markets. Further solidifying its commitment, NEHU Tura has extended its partnership with ICAR-NIBSM, Raipur, under the North East Hill (NEH) Program through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) valid from 2024 to 2029.

Also Read: MP Kharluki inaugurates new community hall in Nongkseh

Also Watch

Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.

Also, Follow us on-

Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub

Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020

Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub

Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub