NATIONAL BEEKEEPING & HONEY MISSION (NBHM)

Bringing Sweet Revolution: Buzzing for a Better India

Introduction:

The National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) is a Central Sector Scheme promoting scientific beekeeping and holistic development of the honey sector. Announced under Atmanirbhar Bharat, NBHM aims to usher in a “Sweet Revolution” by doubling farmers’ income and enhancing pollination-based productivity.

• • Budget: ₹500 crore (FY 2020–21 to 2025–26).
  • Implementing Agency: National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Objectives of NBHM:

• • Promote income & employment generation through scientific beekeeping.
  • Support post-harvest management, processing, branding, and export infrastructure.
  • Establish quality control laboratories and traceability systems for honey.
  • Develop Honey Corridors in potential areas.
  • Empower women and agri-entrepreneurs through skill development.
  • Strengthen collective institutions like SHGs, FPOs, and cooperatives.

Structure of the Mission: NBHM operates through three Mini Missions (MMs):

Implementation & Institutional Framework

1. National Level:

• • General Council (GC)/National Steering Committee: Policy direction and oversight.
  • Project Approval & Monitoring Committee (PA&MC): Sanction of projects.
  • Executive Committee (EC): Approval of project proposals.
  • National Bee Board (NBB): Nodal Agency for overall coordination.

2.State & District Levels:

• • State Level Steering Committee (SLSC): Implementation & monitoring.
  • District Level Committee (DLC): Field-level coordination.
  • Implementing Partners: NDDB, NAFED, TRIFED, ICAR, KVIC, SRLMs, MSMEs, State Departments.

Key Achievements (as of March 2025)

• • Production: 1.4 lakh MT of natural honey (2024).
  • Export: 1.07 lakh MT valued at USD 177.55 million (FY 2023–24) — India now 2nd largest exporter (up from 9th rank in 2020).
  • Infrastructure Created:

a) 6 World-class Honey Testing Labs

b) 47 Mini Labs, 6 Disease Diagnostic Labs

c) 26 Honey Processing Units

d) 12 Beekeeping Equipment Units

e) 18 Branding & Marketing Units

f) 10 Cold Storage & Packaging Units

• • Research & Training:
    • National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping at IIT Roorkee.
    • 424 ha demonstration areas, 288 ha bee-friendly plantations.
  • Women Empowerment: 167 activities sanctioned for SHGs across states.
  • Madhukranti Portal:
    • Online registration & blockchain-based traceability.
    • Registered: 14,859 beekeepers, 269 societies, 150 firms, and 206 companies.
  • Formation of 100 Beekeepers’ FPOs: 97 already registered (NAFED – 60, NDDB – 26, TRIFED – 14).
  • Beneficiaries: 298 registered producers directly supported.

Honey Exports & Major Producers

• • Top Producing States: Uttar Pradesh (17%), West Bengal (16%), Punjab (14%), Bihar (12%), Rajasthan (9%).
  • Export Varieties: Mustard, Eucalyptus, Lychee, Sunflower honey, etc.
  • Top Export Destinations: USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya.
  • Policy Support: Minimum Export Price (MEP) set at USD 2,000/MT (₹167/kg) till Dec 2024.

Success Stories from Rural India

1. In Nongthymmaivillage of Meghalaya, beekeeping has long been a traditional practice, believed to bring health and vitality to households. Once a hobby, it has now become a key source of income for many families. Shri Stevenson Shadap, who began beekeeping out of passion, transformed it into a profitable venture after receiving training through the Umsning Enterprise Facilitation Centre (EFC). By expanding his bee colonies and improving production and packaging, he now earns between ₹1 to 2 lakhs annually from honey sales in Nongpoh and Shillong markets, with demand exceeding supply. The community, inspired by his success, is forming a beekeepers’ society to enhance collective honey production, packaging, marketing, and develop value-added products. Shri Shadap remains optimistic that the Meghalaya’s Apiculture Mission will help them reach larger markets and sustain this generational livelihood.

2. In Kupwaradistrict of Jammu and Kashmir, beekeeping has emerged as a major income diversification initiative through both administrative support and individual enterprise. The government has promoted the rearing of Apis mellifera bees by providing 2,000 colonies to new beekeepers at a 40% subsidy and establishing a ₹25 lakh Honey Processing and Bottling Plant at Gulgam with a daily capacity of 2 quintals, branding the produce as “Kupwara Honey” for wider markets. Local youth like Zakir Hussain Bhat, who began with five colonies, now manage over 200 colonies producing 200 quintals of honey annually and employing others. Supported by training from the government and infrastructure, over 500 farmers now produce 480 quintals of organic honey annually, generating ₹3 crore in turnover. Plans for GI tagging of “Kupwara Organic Honey” are underway to further enhance market access and prices.

Conclusion:

Therefore, through the synergy of policy support, infrastructure creation, and grassroots participation, NBHM is transforming traditional beekeeping into a tech-driven, export-oriented, and women-led growth sector.

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