Economic Potential of Beekeeping in Punjab

Beekeeping is an age old tradition in India and is considered a no investment profit giving venture which can be practiced by all sections of the society. India with 133.2 thousand MT of production is 6 th largest producer of honey with 3.74 per cent share in the world. The country is privileged with highest number of beehives (12.2 million) and is home to four of the seven known bee species. India also ranks 9 th in export of honey. Around 50 per cent of the honey produced is consumed domestically and exports being dependent on one main market i.e. the United States (80%). Punjab is the leading state in the country in apiculture producing 18500 MT (13.89%) of honey from 4.0 lakh colonies and is exporting about 13,296 MT (1.91%) honey. The state has the potential to support even 10 lakh colonies that can be increased within next 4 to 5 years to achieve production of 45,000 MT with increased honey yield leading to increased net returns and profit. The major constraints faced by the honey producers include availability of technically skilled labour followed by low prices, high cost of migration, fear of theft and infrastructure. To develop an organised bee-farming sector there is a strong need to promote beekeeping as a subsidiary occupation by provision of adequate credit and subsidy on beekeeping infrastructure, establishing processing plants to give further fillip to honey exports, forming effective Breeders’ Associations, fixing raw honey purchase prices along with initiative for the insurance policy for bee hives by the Government.