BEEKEEPING – APICULTURE

Bee farming or apiculture is the practice of maintaining bee colonies by humans in man-made hives. Honeybees are reared on a large scale. The bees are domesticated for honey, wax, and to pollinate flowers. They are also used by other beekeepers for the same purposes. Maintaining a beehive in a farm promises additional income to farmers.

In addition, it does not require huge investments, infrastructure or even a fertile land to start bee farming in India. In agricultural, honey it helps increase agricultural productivity. 

The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Department of Agriculture Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India launched a Central Sector Scheme titled ‘Development of Beekeeping for Improving Crop Productivity’ during the VIII plan (1994-95). The scheme had various components covering R&D, production & distribution of honeybee colonies, organizing trainings and awareness programmes and support for setting up honey processing plant, etc.

A Beekeeping Development Board also functioned under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (A & C) to coordinate the Beekeeping activities.

NATIONAL BEEKEEPING & HONEY MISSION

Govt. of India has approved a new Central Sector Scheme entitled “National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM)” for 2 years for overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping in mission mode to achieve the goal of “Sweet Revolution” in the country by giving thrust on:

1. capacity building & trainings, specific focus on women
2. input support for promotion & production, setting up of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres (IBDCs)
3. other Infrastructures, Digitization /online registration, etc., processing, value addition, market support, etc
4. R&D under 3 Mini Missions (MMs)-MM-1, MM-2 & MM-3.

The Government has allocated Rs.500 crore towards Beekeeping under the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan. He said India is among the world’s top five honey producers. Compared to 2005-06 honey production has risen by 242% and exports shot by 265%.