The Central Government has approved/sanctioned 45 projects for funding under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), with the goal of overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping in the country to achieve the goal of a "sweet revolution".
According to the Economic Survey for 2021-22, the government approved a 500 crore allocation for NBHM for three years, from 2020-21 to 2022-23, recognizing the importance of beekeeping as part of the country's integrated farming system (IFS). The mission was announced as part of the scheme Aatma Nirbhar Bharat.
According to the survey, "NBHM aims for the overall promotion and development of scientific beekeeping in the country in order to achieve the goal of the 'Sweet Revolution,' which is being implemented through the National Bee Board (NBB)."
As of December 17, a total of 45 projects totaling 88.87 crore had been approved/sanctioned for funding under NBHM.
Exports Surge by 110%
Between 2013-14 and 2019-20, India's honey exports increased by about 110 percent.
The country's diverse agro-climatic conditions offer tremendous potential and opportunities for beekeeping/honey production and honey export.
Beekeeping is an agro-based activity carried out in rural areas by farmers/landless labourers as part of the IFS.
Care of honeybees and hives offers farmers a variety of opportunities, including the production of beeswax, honey, and other edible bee products; crop pollination services; and the sale of bees to other beekeepers.
Beekeeping has aided in crop pollination, increasing farmers'/beekeepers' income by increasing crop yield and providing honey and other high-value bee-hive products such as bee wax, bee pollen, royal jelly, bee venom, and so on.
