Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 01 July 2025
The Department of Agriculture, Car Nicobar, in collaboration with the High Value Agriculture Development Agency (HVADA), organized a two-day training programme on ‘Scientific Beekeeping’ on 25th and 26th June 2025 at the Community Hall in Arong village. The training was held under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), a flagship scheme of the National Bee Board (NBB), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
The inaugural session was graced by Mr. Lionald Nicomede, Chairman of the Tribal Council, Car Nicobar, as the Chief Guest. Mr. John Levi attended the event as Guest of Honour. The programme also saw the presence of Deputy Vice Chairperson Ms. Dorothy Mathias, Second Headman of Arong village Mr. Simeon William, Village Secretary, and Dr. G.D. Sanket, Subject Matter Specialist from KVK-CIARI.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Lionald Nicomede encouraged the farming community to adopt beekeeping alongside traditional agriculture to enhance income and ecological sustainability. Mr. John Levi urged the younger generation to embrace modern scientific agricultural practices, including beekeeping, as a viable livelihood option.
Mr. C. Vinod Kumar, Assistant Director of Agriculture, welcomed the participants and dignitaries. The technical sessions included expert inputs from Ms. R. Bhu Bharthy, Agriculture Officer; Ms. D. Laxmi, Agriculture Assistant; Dr. G.D. Sanket from KVK-CIARI; and Mr. Joshua Paul, Agriculture Field Assistant, who collectively emphasized the importance of integrating beekeeping with horticultural practices.
On the second day, an interactive session was held at the Rural Knowledge Centre in Perka following a visit to the Multipurpose Farm in Perka. Participants engaged with KVK-CIARI scientists and observed a practical demonstration by agriculture field functionaries. The programme concluded with a field visit to the beekeeping unit of Ms. Felicia, a resident of Tamaloo, offering farmers a firsthand look at practical beekeeping techniques in action.
The training initiative aimed to build capacity among local farmers and promote beekeeping as a sustainable and income-generating agricultural practice in the Nicobar region.
