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Centre takes more initiatives to promote scientific beekeeping
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Tuesday, 11 August, 2026, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Our Bureau, Mumbai
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The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) as a Central Sector Scheme through the National Bee Board (NBB) to promote scientific beekeeping, boost honey production and strengthen livelihoods linked to the beekeeping sector.
The mission aims to facilitate the holistic development of the beekeeping industry, increase the production of honey and other beehive products, generate income and employment, and provide livelihood support to farm and non-farm households. It also focuses on empowering women through beekeeping, strengthening beekeepers through institutional frameworks and collective approaches, and improving agricultural and horticultural productivity through pollination.
Under NBHM, project-based assistance is provided to eligible Implementing Agencies (IAs) recommended by Central and State Nodal Agencies. The support covers a range of activities, including the establishment of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres, honey testing laboratories, bee disease diagnostic laboratories and Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres. The mission also supports capacity building, technology demonstrations and initiatives aimed at promoting women’s participation in beekeeping.
In addition, NBHM provides support for marketing, branding, value addition and research and development, helping strengthen the honey value chain from production to processing and market access.
The mission supplements the efforts of State Governments, Implementing Agencies and stakeholder organisations to expand scientific beekeeping, increase honey production and enhance agricultural productivity through a project-based approach.
According to the government, 7 world-class honey testing laboratories, 66 mini laboratories for checking adulteration, 83 honey processing units and 90 collection, branding and packaging units have been established so far. These facilities are aimed at improving honey quality, processing, storage and marketing. The government has also supported 81 Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres for producing quality queen bees and facilitating colony multiplication.
The expansion of the beekeeping sector has been accompanied by a significant rise in honey production. Honey production increased from 80,530 tonnes in 2014–15 to 1,51,690 tonnes in 2025–26, according to the Horticulture Crops Statistics (2nd Advance Estimates 2025–26).
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