Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma stated on Tuesday that honey produced within the state has been rated among the finest globally and possesses the potential to emerge as a major revenue generator if it undergoes proper production and marketing. The Chief Minister made these remarks while inaugurating an Apiculture Multi Facility Centre cum Processing Unit located at Mellim in the Rerapara Block of South West Garo Hills District.
Strengthening the Honey Value Chain
Built at an approximate cost of Rs 1.52 crore, the newly launched facility is designed to manage the entire post-harvest supply chain. This encompasses raw honey collection, processing, bottling, testing, marketing, and the manufacturing of bee boxes. The inauguration event witnessed the presence of MLAs Mehtab Chandee Sangma, Sanjay Sangma, and Subir Marak, alongside local beekeepers, self-help groups, and officials representing the Horticulture department and the district administration.
Apiculture Mission 2.0 and Infrastructure Expansion
The Chief Minister revealed that the state government is also evaluating the establishment of a Bee Museum and Interpretation Centre. This proposed site would serve as a retail point for organic honey and feature digital displays illustrating honey production methods for visitors. Under the ongoing Apiculture Mission 2.0, initiatives are being rolled out across all 12 districts in three distinct phases, encompassing 87 clusters and benefiting 6,491 beekeepers. Distribution efforts have successfully delivered 32,455 bee boxes and 6,491 equipment sets, ensuring each participating beekeeper receives five boxes and one equipment set. Furthermore, 39 clusters operating under Phase III yielded a total of 157.69 metric tonnes of honey during the 2024-25 period. The state has already established an Integrated Bee Development Centre at Sambrak in North Garo Hills, providing infrastructure for training, testing, processing, hive manufacturing, storage, retail, and information services.
Rural Livelihoods and Strategic Priorities
Sangma stressed that governmental intervention must extend beyond merely distributing bee boxes, urging that operational focus should encompass colony management, quality control, processing, packaging, branding, and organized market access. He noted that the newly launched infrastructure addresses three core priorities for Rerapara, namely rural livelihoods, connectivity, and access to essential government services. Highlighting infrastructure developments, he mentioned that a newly constructed bridge will facilitate easier travel for residents and local producers to reach markets, educational institutions, hospitals, and vital services. Sharing further details on X, the Chief Minister reiterated that implementing scientific beekeeping, stringent quality processing, packaging, and robust branding will successfully position Meghalaya's organic honey on the global map.
