Beekeeping: NAFED to Create 65 FPOs of Beekeepers & Honey Processors

National Bee Board (NBB) conducted a National Conference on Beekeeping Sector together with National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).

Over 600 participants from Government, private sector, State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/ Central Agricultural Universities (CAUs), Beekeepers and other stakeholders involved in beekeeping occupation, etc. took part in the conference.

During the conference Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, spoke on National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), a central sector scheme that was launched by Govt. of India for overall promotion & development of scientific beekeeping in the nation. The implementation of NBHM will be a huge step in achieving the “Sweet Revolution” in India.

Likhi said that NBHM will help in filling gaps in infrastructural facilities for honey and linking marginal beekeepers in an organized way for dealing with adulteration in honey. NBB has launched Madhukranti Portal for traceability of honey & other beehive products viz.; bee pollen, bee wax, bee venom, propolis, etc. NBHM has the aim to create a network of honey testing labs covering all parts of the country.

Additional Commissioner (Horti.) and Executive Director (NBB), Dr N. K. Patle, emphasized on implementation of the NBHM scheme effectively all over the country and to provide factual benefits to beekeepers & other stakeholders associated with beekeeping occupation. To enhance the income of beekeepers, it is advisable that along with the production of honey, other beehive products like royal jelly, bee pollen, bee wax, bee venom, propolis, etc. must also be produced.

Coordinator, AICRP on Honey Bee & Pollinator, ICAR, New Delhi, Dr Balraj Singh mentioned that presently there are 25 AICRP centres in the country, which are actively involved in research in beekeeping/ pollination. ICAR is on the way to creating Pollinator Gardens under AICRP centres across the country.

Pankaj Prasad, Additional Managing Director & Unnikrishnan, General Manager from NAFED told that NAFED is creating 65 clusters/ Farmers Producers Organisations (FPOs) of beekeepers/ Honey Processors. These 65 FPOs will be part of the honey corridor linking northwest to north-eastern regions. NAFED is aiming at bringing all these 65 FPOs associated with honey production for creating requisite infrastructure under National Beekeeping and Honey Mission.

General Manager, TRIFED, Seema Bhatnagar informed that TRIFED is already involved in promoting beekeeping in tribal parts of the country and procuring wild honey and has also exported to various countries honey worth Rs. 115 lakhs during 2020-21.

Source - PIB