Village Profile
Chichotcheng is a small village which falls under Bajengdoba Community and Rural Development Block and is situated 50 kms (approx.) away from the district headquarter, Resubelpara. The villages fall under North Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. The village is rich in natural resources. The village has the population of 673 of which 319 are males and 354 are females as per Population census 2011. There are about 67 households as per the census conducted in the year 2011 and the majority of the population is Christian comprising of different denominations.
Importance of Bees:
Bees play a very important role in the nature. Bees and plants become one family when it comes to the multiplication and survival of the plant population. It is often said that the plant population will thrive only till the last of the bees exists. Bees play the important role in the process of pollination thereby actively taking part in the multiplication of tree population. Bees play an important role in the production of food for all the living things that exist in nature. The honeybees and stingless bees have originally developed in forest biotopes. Therefore, knowing their importance in nature, bees have become one of the important species whose survival needs to be protected.
Bees are essential for the health of people and the planet. Honey and other products have medicinal properties and the role of the bees as pollinators makes them vital for food supplies. But due to the use of pesticides and due to the process of urbanization there is a sudden decrease in the population of bees as nature becomes toxic for their survival and their natural habitat gets destroyed. This activity of humans poses a threat to the population of bees and their existence. Therefore, knowing their importance in nature and the value of their product, people have started to protect and rear the bees by providing them with hives made from wood. Generally, people rear bees in wooden bee hives and sustain their livelihood by selling the products. These activities lead to the increase in bees’ population and also in the production of honey which humans can sell and generate revenue for their living.
About the Innovation:
One of the female residents of the village namely Smt. Lamuni Sangma practice a unique method of preserving honeybees. The innovator has been practicing the activity solely for livelihood since 2014. The innovator makes the beehive which is made from mud and this model too provides an artificial habitat for bees like that of wooden beehive to live and which in turn produces honey which the innovator can sell and sustain her living. This activity leads to an increase in the population of bees and protects them from becoming extinct. During the practices the innovator found that her model is more efficient than the general wooden beehive which most honeybee rearers used. She also found that the production of honey is more compared to that of the wooden beehive. The mud beehive model also provides a suitable and favorable environment for the bees. The model, since it is made from mud, manages to maintain the temperature of the surrounding favorable for the bees for their active lifestyle. During summer the model is able to provide a cool environment and during winter the model provides a warm environment which is a crucial requirement for the bees to reproduce and for their production of honey.
As comparing to the modern and general wooden beehive, the innovator found that her model is more effective in preserving the honeybees from becoming endangered and more efficient in the production of honeys and is less expensive as the model can be made from the naturally occurring raw materials and method involved in the construction of such beehive is easy.
Moreover, the ability of the mud beehive to maintain a suitable environment for bees throughout the year is a great advantage for the bees’ health and production of honey. It is inspiring to see how traditional knowledge can be leveraged to create innovative solutions that promote sustainability and support livelihoods. It is also a reminder that there are often low-cost and environmentally friendly solutions to many of the problems we face today.
About the Bees:
In a single colony there are three numbers of main bees they are Queen Bee, Worker Bee and Drone Bee, queen bee is the main bee who lays eggs and mother of all the bees, queen bee lay eggs 1500 to 2000 per day. Worker’s bees are the female bee that lacks the full reproductive capacity of the colony’s queen bee, drone bees are the male bees, and their sole purpose is to mate with the queen they don’t work, don’t make honey, and can’t sting. Since a queen only needs to mate once, most of the drones won’t even get the chance to fulfill their role. But worker bees keep them around just in case a new queen needs mating.
Honeybee colonies play a crucial role in the production of honey and other bee products, such as beeswax and royal jelly. The worker bees collect nectar from flowers and convert it into honey through a process of regurgitation and evaporation. This honey is then stored in the hive and used as a source of food for the colony. Additionally, the importance of honeybee colonies and the roles of different types of bees within them. Honeybees indeed play a crucial role in our ecosystem, not just for honey production but also for pollination, which is essential for agriculture and the health of many plant species, honeybee colonies play a vital role in the pollination of plants, which is essential for the growth and survival of many crops and plant species. As such, the preservation and protection of honeybee colonies is important not just to produce honey and other bee products, but also for the health and sustainability of our planet.
Merits of Beehives made from mud:
- Affordable
- More efficient in terms of production.
- More effective in terms of protecting bees.
- Raw materials can be found easily.
- Provides a better environment for the bees to reproduce and produce.
- Saves time.
- Eco-friendly as the materials involved are degradable.
Smt. Lamuni Sangma’s innovation of using mud beehives to rear honeybees not only provides a sustainable livelihood for her but also plays an important role in preserving honeybees and increasing their population. Her method of making mud beehives is also more efficient in producing honey compared to the traditional wooden beehives.
Furthermore, the mud beehive provides a suitable environment for the bees to thrive as it can maintain a favorable temperature for the bees. This is especially important during extreme weather conditions such as hot summers or cold winters, where the bees require a specific temperature range for their reproductive and honey production activities.
As comparing to the modern and general wooden beehive, the innovator found that her model is more effective in preserving the honeybees from becoming endangered and more efficient in the production of honeys and is less expensive as the model can be made from the naturally occurring raw materials and method involved in the construction of such beehive is easy. Using traditional knowledge and locally available resources to create sustainable solutions for their livelihoods. The fact that she was able to showcase her product to the World Bank and SPMU team is a testament to the potential of her innovation. I hope her work continues to flourish and inspire others to explore sustainable livelihood options.
It’s impressive to see the progress made by Smt. Lamuni Sangma in promoting beekeeping and developing her mud beehive model. With 70 hives made and various tasks completed, it seems like she has gained a lot of experience and knowledge in this field. The process of making beehive and the methods is describe below,
Ingredients
- 1 kg of red mud
- 2 kg of cow dung
- 2 kg of rice husk
- 1 kg of stone chips
- Wooden Plank for doors and inside the hive for honey
- Bamboo
- Straw for Roof
- Ash for smoothing the hive.
It’s also interesting to share the detailed process involved in making a hive of mud. Mixing mud with cow dung, ash, stone chips, and rice husk to create a suitable habitat for the bees is a clever and sustainable method. It’s great to see the innovator making use of natural resources and creating a low-cost solution for beekeeping. It’s admirable that she also hired helpers on a daily wage basis, providing employment opportunities for people in her community while developing her innovation. It will be exciting to see how her innovation continues to evolve and impact the beekeeping industry in the future.
Before receiving the grant, she had made 4 beehives out of mud and had a production of 38 kg of honey every year. The amount of honey produced from each beehive ranges between 3 to 4 kg, depending on the size of the beehive. It also mentioned that the production can be made three times in a year. As of now, Smt. Lamuni Sangma has increased the number of beehives to 70. Out of these, she has used 15 beehives for the production till date and has produced 60 kgs of honey. It’s impressive that she has scaled up her operation to this extent and is able to produce a significant amount of honey. With the increased production of honey, she now can sell more honey to the nearby society. Previously, she could only sell 38 kgs of honey from her 4 numbers of beehives, but now with 15 beehives and a production of 60 kgs of honey, she can potentially sell a lot more honey and increase her income. She has been able to generate an income source of Rs. 60,000/- from her beekeeping efforts. The price of the honey is sold for Rs.1000/- per liter. This is a significant amount of income and could potentially have a positive impact on her quality of life and her community.
Observation:
- Smt. Lamuni Sangma was involved in making beehives and producing honey. Before receiving the grant, she had made 4 beehives out of mud and had a production of 38 kg of honey every year. The amount of honey produced from each beehive ranges between 3 to 4 kg, depending on the size of the beehive. It also mentioned that the production can be made three times in a year. As of now, Smt. Lamuni Sangma has increased the number of beehives to 70. Out of these, she has used 15 beehives for the production till date and has produced 60 kgs of honey. It’s impressive that she has scaled up her operation to this extent and is able to produce a significant amount of honey.
- With the increased production of honey, Smt. Lamuni Sangma now can sell more honey to the nearby society. Previously, she could only sell 38 kgs of honey from her 4 numbers of beehives, but now with 15 beehives and a production of 60 kgs of honey, she can potentially sell a lot more honey and increase her income.
- Smt. Lamuni Sangma has been able to generate an income source of Rs. 60,000/- from her beekeeping efforts. The price of the honey is sold for Rs.1000/- per liter. This is a significant amount of income and could potentially have a positive impact on her quality of life and her community. Till date she has been maintain only book of records and has not prepare the cash memo which she will make under the release of second tranche.
Observation:
The innovator has made significant contributions to raising awareness about beekeeping and the importance of bees in the region, as well as innovating in the field by introducing mud-made beehives. Here’s how we can integrate these aspects into a morning routine to help increase productivity:
Review Goals and Plans: Take some time to review your goals for the day and any plans you have for expanding your beekeeping initiatives. This could involve reviewing sales targets for your honey products, scheduling awareness programs or training sessions, or brainstorming ways to further improve your mud-made beehives.
Physical Activity: Engage in some form of physical activity to energize your body and mind. This could be a brisk walk, yoga session, or any exercise routine you enjoy. Physical activity in the morning can help increase alertness and productivity throughout the day.
Engage with Your Community:: Reach out to fellow beekeepers or community members who may benefit from your expertise. Whether it’s through social media, email, or phone calls, connecting with others in your field can foster collaboration and idea-sharing, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.
Continuous Learning:: Dedicate some time each morning to expand your knowledge and skills in beekeeping. This could involve reading articles or books related to beekeeping techniques, attending online workshops or webinars, or experimenting with new ideas in your own beekeeping practice.
Creative Time:Set aside a block of time in the morning for creative thinking and problem-solving. Use this time to brainstorm new innovations or improvements to your beekeeping products and practices. Keeping your mind engaged in creative pursuits can lead to fresh ideas and solutions.
Gratitude Practice:End your morning routine by expressing gratitude for the opportunities you must make a positive impact through beekeeping. Take a moment to appreciate the beauty of nature and the interconnectedness of all living things, reaffirming your commitment to protecting and nurturing bee colonies.
By incorporating these elements into her daily routine, she cultivates a sense of purpose, creativity, and productivity that will carry you through the day as you continue to make a difference in the world of beekeeping.
Way Forward
Smt. Lamuni Sangma, the innovator has several ambitious goals related to beekeeping and promoting her product. Which she has achieved, and she has a future plan to achieve these objectives:
Awareness Program:
- Identify key stakeholders such as local communities, schools, and environmental organizations.
- Develop informative materials about the importance of beekeeping, the benefits of honey, and the innovator’s product.
- Organize workshops, seminars, and public events to spread awareness about beekeeping and its positive impacts on the environment and society.
- Collaborate with local authorities and institutions to reach a wider audience.
Product Publication and Sales:
- Create a marketing strategy to promote the innovator’s product and honey.
- Establish distribution channels, such as local markets, online platforms, or partnering with retailers.
- Ensure the product packaging is attractive and informative.
- Utilize social media and other digital platforms for promotion and sales.
Beekeeping Training:
- Obtain necessary certifications or qualifications to become a master trainer in beekeeping.
- Develop comprehensive training materials and curriculum.
- Offer training sessions regularly in the region, targeting aspiring beekeepers and enthusiasts.
- Provide hands-on experience and practical knowledge to participants.
Commercial Mud Beehive Production:
- Collaborate with local artisans or manufacturers to design and produce mud-made beehives on a commercial scale.
- Ensure the beehives are durable, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.
- Promote the benefits of mud-made beehives to other beekeepers through workshops, demonstrations, and marketing campaigns.
- Establish partnerships with beekeeping associations or cooperatives to facilitate the distribution and adoption of mud-made beehives.
Networking and Collaboration:
- Engage with other stakeholders in the beekeeping industry, such as researchers, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.
- Participate in relevant events, conferences, and forums to exchange knowledge and experiences.
- Seek funding opportunities or grants to support initiatives related to beekeeping awareness, training, and innovation.
By following her daily routine can indeed help the innovator effectively promote beekeeping, market her products, train aspiring beekeepers, and expand the adoption of her innovative mud-made beehives across the region.
Starting the day with a focused mindset, reviewing goals and plans, and engaging with the community will lay a strong foundation for her activities. Physical activity and continuous learning will keep her energized and informed, while dedicated creative time will spark new ideas and solutions.
Expressing gratitude for her work and the opportunities she has will reinforce her commitment to beekeeping and inspire others to join her efforts. Overall, this holistic approach to her morning routine will contribute to her success in advancing beekeeping practices and making a positive impact on both the environment and the community.
