The North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR) has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the India Honey Alliance (IHA) to strengthen and transform the honey and beekeeping sector in the North Eastern region.A statement from IHA said the MoU is a significant step towards building a more resilient, sustainable, and market-ready honey ecosystem in North East India. It will create long-term value for beekeepers, farmers, and the broader rural economy.The partnership aims to build an integrated and sustainable framework for apiculture development by combining NECTAR’s institutional outreach, scientific capabilities, and technical expertise with IHA’s industry knowledge and policy advocacy experience.The two organisations will aim to create sustainable livelihoods, improve farmer incomes, promote environmentally responsible agricultural practices, and position North East India as a premium and traceable honey-producing region in domestic and international markets.Collaborating in key areasAs per the MoU, NECTAR and IHA will work together in key areas, including capacity building and skill development for beekeepers, development of technical support systems for North East honey, biodiversity conservation through beekeeping, and market alignment with domestic and export industries.They will coordinate on pilot project execution and the creation of beekeeping clusters to improve aggregation, efficiency, and market access. The collaboration will also focus on training programmes, cluster formation, development of value-added honey products, and the creation of a robust sector database to strengthen traceability and support long-term growth.Arun Kumar Sarma, Director General, NECTAR, said, “The North Eastern Region holds immense untapped potential in the beekeeping and honey sector, thanks to its rich biodiversity, diverse flora, and natural ecosystem. Through this collaboration with the India Honey Alliance, we aim to promote scientific beekeeping practices, strengthen local capacities, and create a more structured ecosystem that can deliver long-term benefits for farmers, beekeepers, and the broader rural economy.”Deepak Jolly, Secretary General, India Honey Alliance, said, “This collaboration represents a significant opportunity to create a stronger, more organised, and future-ready apiculture ecosystem in the North Eastern Region.”Published on May 28, 2026