A year of hands-on beekeeping training turning 50 women into confident apiarists — and, for some, small business owners.
Training programme on livelihood enhancement through apiary for Women SHGs, NTPC Talcher Thermal
Social Development Foundation (SDF), Talcher, in collaboration with NTPC Talcher Thermal, Angul, Odisha, conducted a 365-day training programme on beekeeping (apiculture) to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities among women Self-Help Group (SHG) members. The programme was designed for women between 18 and 45 years of age and focused on developing practical skills that could support income generation and self-employment.
The participants underwent comprehensive training in various aspects of apiculture. The practical sessions enabled them to understand bee behaviour and acquire hands-on skills in handling bee colonies, rescuing and nurturing wild colonies, rearing queen bees, maintaining bee boxes, and following appropriate beekeeping practices. Alongside technical knowledge, the programme also introduced participants to the business and entrepreneurial potential of beekeeping, including opportunities for establishing small-scale enterprises and accessing suitable bank-supported financial schemes.
A total of 50 women participants from different Panchayats of Talcher benefited from the programme. The dedicated participation and sustained efforts of women SHG members from Kholua, Dasanli, and Jhadiamba contributed significantly to its successful implementation, demonstrating that coordinated action, mutual support, and perseverance can create meaningful livelihood opportunities at the community level.
The initiative was strengthened through the committed support and coordination of the SDF team and the CSR-HR team of NTPC Talcher Thermal, whose combined efforts helped create a positive and encouraging learning environment for the participating women.
A Closer Look
Apiary livelihood training session for women SHGs