Meghalaya: Conrad Sangma Launches Rs 10 Crore Beekeeping Project

Shillong, January 14, 2020:

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today laid the foundation of the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre (IBDC) in North Garo Hills.

The new centre is estimated to cover an area of at least 20-25 acres of land. It is part of the Prime Minister’s vision to develop the beekeeping industry of Meghalaya and the overall growth of the rural economy.

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Talking about the Government’s mission to promote honey, the Chief Minister said, “We have been working with different stakeholders with a sole focus on the preservation, propagation and scientific farming of the indigenous bee of the State.”

He said that Meghalaya is rated as one of the best regions for beekeeping, considering the availability in terms of bee pasturage. “The State has immense beekeeping potential, however due to lack of knowledge and information about the scope, the farmers have not been able to reap the optimum benefits,” added Sangma.

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Meghalaya envisages to tap the potential of about 5 lakh honey bee colonies. There are 16,728 existing bee colonies and according to the government, the Bee Development Centre will enable the State to further boost the honey bee industry.

It is believed that the IBDC will aid in the overall sustainable development of scientific and robust beekeeping in the State.

The IBDC has been initiated through a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) Scheme, under a component “Pollination Support through Beekeeping” and has been designated National Bee Board (NBB), as Nodal Agency for promoting  Scientific Beekeeping under NHM/MIDH.

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