The Ukhrul Forest Division, Government of Manipur on Wednesday successfully concluded the three-day Capacity Building Training Programs on Beekeeping for Sustainable Income and Crochet for Livelihood Enhancement.
The three-day capacity building training programs were conducted under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performances (RAMP) Scheme from 15th to 17th September 2025 at two different venues inside the Office of The Divisional Forest Officer, Ukhrul.
The initiative marks an important milestone in the Division’s continuing efforts to promote eco-friendly, skill based livelihoods that strengthen community resilience while reducing unsustainable dependency on forest resources.
Recognising the need for livelihood diversification, the Ukhrul Forest Division designed two distinct training programs running in parallel at separate venues:
The Beekeeping Training was held at the Conference Hall of the Office of The Divisional Forest Officer, Ukhrul and attracted 35 participants — 27 men and 8 women.
The Crochet Training was conducted at the Meeting Hall, Forest Guest House within the Office of The Divisional Forest Officer, Ukhrul, fully attended by 28 women beneficiaries.
This arrangement allowed the Forest Division to effectively reach both men and women beneficiaries with livelihood options suited to their strengths and interests.
The programs were inaugurated on 15th September 2025 by the Divisional Forest Officer, Laishram Gitla in the presence of Range Forest Officers- N. Bikram and Chermishan ASP.
At the Beekeeping Training inauguration in the Conference Hall, DFO Gitla addressed the 35 participants, emphasizing that beekeeping was not only about honey production. She pointed out its dual benefits — enhancing biodiversity through pollination and providing families with sustainable income. She urged the trainees to adopt beekeeping as both a livelihood and a conservation practice, stressing that branded honey products with a Forest Identity could help Ukhrul stand out in wider markets.
Later, At the Crochet Training inauguration at the Meeting Hall, Forest Guest House, DFO, Laishram Gitla encouraged the 28 women participants to view crochet as more than a household craft. She described it as a pathway to empowerment, creativity, and economic independence. She further highlighted the potential of creating a distinct brand identity through the Ukhrul Forest Crochet Collection, linking traditional craft with modern markets such as souvenir shops, fairs, and online platforms.
Her speeches reflected the Division’s two-pronged approach: empowering women through handicrafts and supporting community livelihoods through biodiversity-linked enterprises.
The Beekeeping Training was led by expert trainers Anem Vashi and Sorei Vashi, who guided participants through both theory and practical sessions, including the importance of beekeeping for self-employment, pollination, and biodiversity. The trainer also elaborated on apiary site selection, preparation, and hive placement, hive structure, colony inspection, queen selection, and management. Use of tools and protective gear, including smokers and hive tools, identification and management of pests and diseases and honey harvesting methods, storage, and value addition were also imparted during the program.
The Crochet Training was conducted by Kanmipan Hongray and Claudia Kasar and focuses on eco-friendly and creative skills. Training sessions covered – tools and eco-friendly materials, including yarns and natural dyes. Basic stitches (chain, single, and double crochet), hands-on practice making leaf motifs, flower petals, butterflies, and pinecones. Product development including coasters, keychains, and pouches.Branding under the Ukhrul Forest Crochet Collection were the main focus.
For the participants, guidance on costing, pricing, and exploring markets locally and digitally was their first structured training in crochet. Participants expressed enthusiasm about using these skills to create home-based enterprises and contribute to family income.
A total of 63 participants were trained, 35 in Beekeeping (27 men and 8 women) and 28 in Crochet (all women). On 17th September 2025, both programs concluded with valedictory sessions at their respective venues. Participants shared feedback, highlighting how the trainings had improved their knowledge and confidence. Certificates of completion were distributed to all 63 beneficiaries in recognition of their successful participation. Many women participants shared their interest in forming self-help groups to produce crochet items for sale, while beekeeping participants expressed plans to establish community apiaries.
RFO, Chingai, N. Bikram, in his closing address, congratulated all participants and urged them to put their training into practice. He stressed that these skills not only generate income and employment but also play a vital role in reducing pressure on forests and strengthening biodiversity conservation in Ukhrul district.
