The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur successfully conducted the second and third phases of its training program on beekeeping, floriculture, and fruit orchards under the research project “Mainstreaming Agrobiodiversity Conservation for Climate Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods.”
The initiative is sponsored by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India, through the G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.
The second phase of the training took place at Shajouba Village on October 10, while the third phase was held at Pudunamai Village on October 11. The programs saw enthusiastic participation from 60 and 50 individuals, respectively, including farmers, women’s groups, and young entrepreneurs from surrounding areas.
Dr. Adani Azhoni, Principal Investigator of the project and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, NIT Manipur, said these trainings marked the completion of the first phase of the program.
He added, “Practical trainings on beekeeping, fruit orchard farming, and grafting will follow. This will give confidence to budding farmers and beekeeping enthusiasts not only to keep bees but also to process honey, package, and brand their products for market readiness. They will also receive hands-on training in grafting fruits such as persimmon and kiwi, which thrive in the region. This initiative will provide sustainable livelihoods to unemployed youth while conserving biodiversity and enhancing climate resilience.”
Dr. Azhoni also acknowledged the contributions of the two co-principal investigators, Dr. Chubbamenla, Director and Co-Founder of Native Foodscape, and Dr. Mala Narang, based in Delhi, for their expertise in developing the project.
Dr. Sao Tunyi, a physician-turned-agri entrepreneur and Founder of Providence Garden, shared his personal journey from medicine to farming, inspiring participants.
He highlighted the vast potential of transforming the Northeast into a hub for high-value agri-farming and natural produce, creating employment opportunities for youth.
Ms. Chokhone Krechina, Founder and CEO of Dianthe Private Limited, conducted hands-on sessions on floriculture, including techniques for preserving dry flowers and marketing strategies.
She demonstrated how the region could become a global exporter of both fresh and dry flowers, emphasising opportunities for women and youth to lead in this emerging sector.
Participants expressed great enthusiasm, with many signing up for upcoming practical sessions at Providence Garden in Phek District, Nagaland, which will focus on honey harvesting and fruit orchard grafting in the forthcoming seasons.
The training programs at Shajouba and Pudunamai represent a significant step in equipping local farmers and youth with climate-resilient agricultural skills while promoting agrobiodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods in the hill regions.
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