Union Agriculture Minister Tomar Celebrates World Bee Day, Emphasizes Importance of Beekeeping for Farmers' Income

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) of the Government of India marked World Bee Day on May 20, 2023, at Raja Bhoj Agriculture College in Waraseoni Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh. The event was attended by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar, along with other dignitaries from the agricultural sector.

During the event, Tomar highlighted the Government of India's "10,000 FPO Scheme," which aims to strengthen beekeepers and honey producers in the country by establishing an institutional framework for collective development. Under this scheme, 100 beekeepers and honey producer Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) have been allocated, with TRIFED, NAFED, and NDDB selected for their implementation. Currently, 80 FPOs have been registered, and Tomar emphasized the immense potential for honey production in the region, which can contribute to increasing farmers' income.

To showcase the diverse varieties of honeybees and products in the beekeeping sector, an exhibition featuring over 100 stalls was organized during the World Bee Day celebration. The exhibition included participation from beekeepers, processors, and various stakeholders associated with honey production. More than 1,000 farmers, beekeepers, processors, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives attended the program.

Additionally, a workshop comprising three technical sessions focused on different themes related to beekeeping. These sessions addressed the need for research and development in promoting scientific beekeeping for income generation, effective marketing strategies for domestic and export markets, and production technology and research challenges in scientific beekeeping.

The World Bee Day celebration aims to promote and popularize beekeeping nationwide under the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) of the Government of India, as part of the Atma-Nirbhar Bharat initiative. The NBHM, implemented through the National Bee Board, aims to promote scientific beekeeping and entrepreneurship among small and marginal farmers, develop infrastructure for post-harvest management, and support research and development in the sector.

During the event, significant achievements in honey production were showcased through a short video film, and individuals from different categories were felicitated for their contributions to the sector. Several honey products start-ups and FPOs also launched publications related to beekeeping. Additionally, Honey Testing Labs and Bee Box Manufacturing Units were virtually inaugurated across various locations in India.

India possesses diverse agro-climatic conditions that offer substantial potential for beekeeping and honey production. The country produced approximately 133,200 metric tonnes (MTs) of honey during the 2021-22 season, according to the 3rd Advanced Estimate. Moreover, India exported 74,413 MTs of natural honey worth Rs. 1,221 crore (US $164.835 million) during the 2020-21 period. To maintain quality standards for national and international markets, scientific technologies are being adopted to increase honey production and testing. This approach has not only facilitated income growth for beekeepers but has also generated increased demand for honey and other beehive products both domestically and internationally.

Effective pollination enhances agricultural yields and improves the quality of crops. Beekeeping in India, therefore, serves as an important agri-business activity, offering promising returns to farmers while contributing to increased agricultural productivity and ensuring food and nutritional security for the country.