IMPHAL, March 13: The third State Level Honey Festival was kicked off today at Gandhi Memorial Hall organized by All Manipur Beekeepers’ Federation.
Altogether 16 stalls from the entire districts of Manipur participated in the three day long festival scheduled to be concluded on March 15, Speaking at the function president of the federation, Sorokhaibam Nilakumol, noting the difficulties being faced by the keepers said that it was due to lack of sponsorship and proper support from State government unlike the neighbouring states.
In Nagaland, their government open doors to interaction for the improvement in bee-rearing business and render supports to bee keepers, he said adding that in Manipur the concerned Minister or concerned authorities miserably failed to address the grievances of the farmers.
The apathy of the Government hinders in the productivity of honey as a result of which bee keepers are left with no option rather than to shift to other businesses, he asserted.
He said that bee-keeping business can not only be profitable but can help create job opportunity for many unemployed individuals, provided proper guidance and support is received from the government.
He highlighted that in the year 2007 All Manipur Bee Keepers Federation was established and in 2008 the federation became a registered body and in 2011 affiliated to National Bee Board.