Eastern Morung VDVK earns Rs 30 lakh annually

Dimapur, May 29 (MExN): The Eastern Morung Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) under the Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission in Tuensang district has emerged as a successful community-based initiative promoting sustainable livelihoods through value addition of honey, bee by-products and other Minor Forest Produces (MFPs). Established to empower local tribal beneficiaries, the VDVK has been engaging communities in the scientific processing, packaging and marketing of honey, beeswax, pollen, propolis, bamboo shoots, wild fruits and other forest-based products. According to a press release, the initiative has focused on strengthening production and sales through capacity-building programmes, technical training and improved market linkages. Beneficiaries have also adopted modern processing techniques and formed cooperative groups to enhance collective production and marketing efforts. The initiative has significantly improved income generation and livelihood opportunities for rural households in the district. The VDVK currently records an annual income of around Rs 30 lakh while promoting sustainable utilization of natural resources and economic self-reliance among local communities, the release stated.