TURA: The State Apiculture Mission was officially launched for Garo Hills by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma in front of a mammoth gathering at Asanang, near here on Wednesday.
The Mission is being implemented by the Department of Commerce & Industries in partnership with Meghalaya Institute of Entrepreneurship (MIE) under IBDLP to upscale and promote apiculture as an organized industrial enterprise that will provide livelihood, gainful employment opportunities, improve rural economy and enhance the ecological system of the State.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Mission, which had already been launched in Shillong, was being launched separately for Garo Hills so that maximum number of people could come and join in.
He said that having learnt from the past experiences when a number of projects failed to deliver, his government has strategized and planned the programme in a way that can provide sustainable livelihood to the people.
“However, no mission can succeed without the support and involvement of the people,” he added.
“Although farmers constitute 80 per cent of India’s population, we still import honey from outside, the place which could have been taken by our people,” Sangma said while stressing on the need to brand the product from the region.
Referring to the mortality rate of bees in certain areas due to excessive use of chemicals, he emphasized on the need to create a sustainable and healthy environment.
“Only healthy farms can lead to healthy bees…The launch of Mission Organic in the State can ensure that the nectar ingested by the bees is organic. Once the honey produced here is certified as organic, the farmers can get higher returns from their products,” he said.
He also called for proper documentation of medicinal properties and health benefits of honey.
The Chief Minister also said that there is huge scope for diversification of products in apiculture, and with so much exclusivity in the region, Garo Hills can become the hub of many manufacturing units.
“The Government intends to generate huge space for entrepreneurship and with the launch of Apiculture Mission let us look forward to hear success stories transforming the socio-economic lives of the people of the region,” he said.
Attending the launch as the guest of honour, local MLA & Parliamentary Secretary, C&RD, NR Marak, expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister for his far-sighted approach to development and said that the launch of the Mission would create a lot of livelihood opportunities for the people of his area which is ideal for beekeeping activities.
Earlier, Principal Secretary, Planning & CEO, Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, Pankaj Jain, briefly highlighted on the Mission, the training of the master trainers, development of packaging solutions and also informed about the move to open State Apiculture Institute.
Executive Director of National Bee Board, BL Sarswat and Deputy Commissioner, West Garo Hills Pravin Bakshi also spoke on the occasion.
A beekeeping exhibition, live demonstrations, presentation of beekeeping kits to selected master beekeepers by the Chief Minister and a cultural programme were also held to mark the launch of the Mission. (MIPR)
