Car Nicobar, July 3: The Department of Agriculture, Car Nicobar, in association with the High Value Agriculture Development Agency (HVADA), conducted a two-day training programme on ‘Scientific Beekeeping’ at Community Hall, Big Lapathy village on July 2 and 3, 2025. The event was organised under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The training was attended by community representatives including headmen and village secretaries, along with agriculture specialists and local farmers. Participants were introduced to bee keeping as a supplementary livelihood activity and its contribution to increased crop productivity through pollination.
The technical session was led by experts from the Agriculture Department and KVK-CIARI. Assistant Director (Agriculture) delivered a presentation outlining the benefits of beekeeping in horticulture and its importance in promoting biodiversity. Farmers were briefed on modern hive management practices, honey extraction techniques, and maintenance of bee colonies.
Participants were also taken on a field visit to the beekeeping site of a local farmer at Big Lapathy and to the Multi-Purpose Farm in Perka. These visits offered hands-on experience and exposure to the practical aspects of maintaining apiaries.
The training aims to promote adoption of scientific beekeeping as a low-cost, high-benefit addition to traditional farming in the islands. The initiative is part of the NBHM’s strategy to strengthen rural economies through sustainable agriculture practices and diversification of farm income.
Officials emphasised that regular training programmes and field demonstrations will continue in collaboration with community-based agencies to widen outreach. The Agriculture Department is also exploring opportunities to link trained farmers with honey marketing networks and cooperative sales platforms.
The programme is expected to create interest among youth and women farmers in Car Nicobar and neighbouring villages, with future modules planned on value addition, wax processing, and small-scale honey packaging.
