KOHIMA, Jan 4: With an annual production of over 200 metric tons, beekeeping in Nagaland has become a lucrative business. Traditional beekeepers, with help and support from the Nagaland Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), have developed beekeeping into a mini industry, producing one of the finest quality honey in the world. Now rated premium by almost all buyers, Nagaland honey is capable of entering the global market, but for one setback: climate change. The almost unthought-of factor, climate change, has emerged as a potential threat to the production of honey in Nagaland. In 2008-2009, honey production in the state decreased considerably due to drought. Though no official assessment was carried out, NBHM officials confirmed that production was affected. But sensing the need for proper documentation of honey production in the state, NBHM officials are now doing a research. The data will be available only after the honey flow season is over, in the month of March. However, beekeepers are already feeling the effect of erratic climate conditions on honey production. According to Tavelhu, a traditional beekeeper from Zanibu, honey production in his farm dropped considerably during 2009-2010. He explained that due to change in weather pattern, bee boxes, normally erected in the farm, had to be taken deeper inside the forest. But that didn