Stingless bees can increase crop yields by 29%, shows Nagaland University research
Dr Chauhan further stated that this technique is meant to fill the gap of pollination in crops, especially where honeybee use is restricted.He emphasised the need to preserve other pollinators like Apis dorsata, Apis florea, halictid and syrphid bees.
Honey being extracted from stingless bees as part of a study conducted by Nagaland University
advertisement"The last 7 to 10 years of research gave us strong results. We not only had more crop yields, but the honey from these bees also generated extra income," Dr Chauhan added."We're working on improving beekeeping practices and promoting awareness regarding the conservation of wild pollinators," he added.The crops on which the research was carried out are cucumber, watermelon, citrus, tomato, brinjal, and dragon fruit.Scientists isolated and duplicated stingless bee colonies from forest areas native to them into scientific hives and then these hives were planted in open fields as well as greenhouses.
ABOUT STINGLESS BEESStingless bees are widespread in the North East, South and Eastern parts of India. Scientific domestication of stingless bees has been done in Nagaland and subsequently extended to Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.This research is an important step towards sustainable agriculture and conservation of pollinators. Future research will further explore the pharmaceutical value of stingless bee honey and examine other lesser-researched crops like passion fruit and chow chow.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
Nagaland farmers' involvement key to water mgmt: Study
Dimapur: A Nagaland University-led study found that local farming community involvement is vital in long-term water management initiatives. The research said the long-term water management initiatives like Aquafer Recharge and Recovery (ASR) require sustained involvement of the local farming community to succeed, a varsity release said on Monday. The study found that the ASR initiatives could be a game-changer for hilly terrain and the water-scarce region of Nagaland and other northeastern parts of India. Collaboration with govt agencies, NGOs, and the private sector will be essential to mainstreaming ASR into broader water resource management strategies, the study said. A pilot study conducted in south Bihar with a grant from Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research demonstrated socio-environmental impacts in terms of higher potential for groundwater recharge, improved irrigation reliability and longer availability of groundwater and socio-economic benefits for farmers due to diversification of cropping, availability of water for cropping and reliable yields. The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Societal Impacts during June 2025.
India Today
6 days ago
- India Today
Local farmer engagement key to water management, says Nagaland University study
A new study by Nagaland University has revealed that the long-term success of Aquifer Recharge and Recovery (ASR) projects depends significantly on the involvement of local farming communities. The research has stressed that groundwater management cannot be a purely technical solution but must also be driven by social and institutional study, recently published in the journal Societal Impacts, examined the socio-environmental effects of ASR through a pilot project in South found that when local farmers were actively engaged and maintained shared ownership of recharge pits, water availability improved, crop diversity increased, and communities gained socio-economic PARTICIPATION CRITICAL FOR LONG-TERM RESULTS Led by Prof Prabhakar Sharma of Nagaland University, the study found that success was not uniform. In Meyar, farmers took active responsibility for maintaining recharge pits and saw clear benefits. In contrast, in Nekpur, where farmers lacked trust in the technology and did not maintain the pits, ASR structures fell into Sharma stated, 'Unlike many prior studies that mainly focus on the technical feasibility and hydrogeological aspects of ASR, this research distinctly foregrounds the social, institutional and policy dimensions critical for sustainable implementation.'SOUTH BIHAR PILOT DEMONSTRATED SOCIO-ECONOMIC GAINSThe pilot study, supported by a grant from the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research, found that ASR significantly improved groundwater recharge, made irrigation more reliable, and enabled additional cropping cycles, thereby improving farmer average cost of setting up an ASR pit was approximately USD 400, making it a relatively affordable solution. However, due to financial constraints, most farmers preferred external support or public funding to initiate the CALL FOR ADAPTIVE POLICY AND INCLUSIVE PLANNINGCo-author Dr Aviram Sharma of the University of Vigo, Spain, emphasised the need for tailor-made strategies: 'Future interventions must incorporate localised adaptation strategies, financial mechanisms for farmer participation, and long-term monitoring of groundwater trends for measuring the impacts of the ASR pits on groundwater aquifers.' Prof Prabhakar Sharma, Nagaland University, meets with farmers of Meyar Village, Nalanda, Bihar The study recommends beginning with medium and large farmers who are more invested in agriculture and could serve as early adopters, encouraging others to follow. Sustained results will also depend on peer-led governance, policy incentives, and support from government and ASR FOR RURAL WATER SECURITYASR holds immense potential for Nagaland and other water-scarce North-Eastern states, where erratic rainfall and groundwater shortages are a growing study underlines that ASR must be embedded within broader, inclusive water policies that address socio-economic disparities and promote community-driven collaborative research included experts from India, Japan, and Spain, including researchers from the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and Kyoto University. It brings a multidisciplinary lens to sustainable water solutions in rural, climate-impacted regions of climate variability rising, the study reinforces that community-led water conservation may be one of the most viable paths forward for building resilience in Indian agriculture.- Ends
United News of India
04-07-2025
- United News of India
USTM announces 50 full scholarships for Nagaland students
Dimapur, July 4 (UNI) In a landmark gesture to support education in Nagaland, the University of Science & Technology Meghalaya (USTM) today announced 50 full scholarships for meritorious and economically disadvantaged students of the state. The scholarships will cover the cost of higher education at USTM. In addition, the university will also adopt five deserving students from Nagaland each year to prepare for the UPSC civil services examination, offering them free coaching, mentorship, and complete academic support as part of its commitment to nation-building and leadership development. The announcement was made by USTM chancellor Mahbubul Hoque at a workshop on career opportunities in the context of NEP 2020, organised by USTM, in association with Nagaland University and North East Christian University (NECU) Nagaland, at Livingstone Foundation International School Dimapur. During the programme, the USTM also honoured the top-performing students in the HSSLC Examination 2025, conducted by the Nagaland Board of School Education, with cash awards and certificates of excellence. Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, former Nagaland chief secretary Alemtemshi Jamir said the NEP 2020 is not just a policy shift in the education system in India but a philosophical rethinking of what education should mean in the 21st century. Jamir called upon the Naga students to adopt science and technology as a part and parcel of their life. He urged them to 'redefine' the NEP to suit their needs and translate the technology they learn to the villages for Nagaland to thrive. He appreciated USTM's mission and vision. 'I appreciate USTM for being a model of diversity and inclusivity, drawing students from across the Northeast and beyond,' he said. Prof. Pauline Alila, head of department of horticulture and in charge Pro VC, Nagaland University, Medziphema campus, said the NEP is not just a reform in academics, but a revolutionary step towards creating future-ready citizens equipped with relevant skills, creativity, and global competitiveness. 'This policy gives students the freedom to explore subjects across traditional streams, enabling unique combinations like music with physics, or data science with arts,' she said. NECU VC Dr Darlando T Khathing also spoke on the occasion. UNI BHG BM
