Honey Revolution, maybe?

On 10th December, 2016 PM Mr. Narendra Modi  said, “After  milk revolution it’s time for honey revolution” while giving speech in Gujarat.So, now let’s get some information about what is Honey Revolution and how Honey Production (Bee Keeping) help the farmers.

History

                

Apiculture (from Latin : Apis “Bee”) is the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives by humans in order to collect their honey and other products. Depiction of humans collecting honey from wild bees dates back to 15,000 years ago. Domestication  is shown in Egyptian art from around 4500 years ago.  

                

Bee Keeping is one of the oldest tradition in India for collecting honey. Honey Bee farming is becoming more popular due to its market demand in national and international markets as well. Not only farmers make a sweet dividend but bee keeping also helps them to increase agricultural productivity through pollination. Honey Bee is one of the most important agents for Cross-Pollination. Also honey bees produce beeswax and royal jelly along with honey. These give additional benefits to the farmers.

Artwork by Swetha S.

Crops Benefited by Bee Pollination in Honey Bee Farming

·         Fruits and Nuts      : Almond, Apple, Apricot, Peach, Strawberry, Citrus and   Litchi.

·         Vegetable Crops   :  Cabbage, Coriander, Cucumber, Cauliflower, Carrot, Melon, Onion,    Pumpkin, Radish and Turnip.

·         Oilseed Crops        : Sunflower, Mustard, Safflower, Niger, Gingelly.

·         Forge Seed Crops : Lucerne, Clover.

Yield Increase due to Bee Pollination in Honey Bee Farming

CROP	%  YIELD INCREASE
Mustard	44
Sunflower	32-45
Cotton	17-20
Lucerne	110
Onion	90
Apple	45

(Source :  www.agrifarming.in)

Economics of Beekeeping

               

The following is the cost and profit details of a beekeeping project. Initial investment may be as low as 2,25,000 Indian Rupees. Here is the sample of  Beekeeping Project Report :

Ø  Unit cost of 80 no. of bee colonies

o   Non recurring expenditure :-

·         cost of 10 no. of beehives per box 2000*80 =160000/-

·         cost of 80 bee box 400 =32000/-

·         cost of apiery equipment (bee-veil ,honey tent , bee-tool ,bee-brush) =5000/-

·         cost of honey units + uncapping tray = 12500/-

·         bee wax sheet 1 kg =350/- per kg

o   Return of production

·         Honey production 80 rupees *40 kg = 3200Rs per Box

·         3200Rs*80Bee Box= Rs256000

·         Man Skill Labors cost 5000*12 = 60000

·         Man Unskilled cost 3500*12 =42000

·         Migration charge =20000

·         Feed charge annual = 10000

Total = 132000          New 25 box *700/-each = 17500         Net profit = 149500

Return expenses = Honey production – net profit = 272000 – 149500 = 122500/-

Bee’s increase(25*1800) = 45000/-

Net profit annual =167500/-

This is an excellent profit. However, in subsequent years, there won’t be any Non- Recurring Expenditure, hence profits will go up.

(Source : www.beekeeperindia.com)

Call of the honey industry

According to the FFT's 2016 edition of the Food & Drinks Market report, overall domestic demand for honey in India last year was about $513.05 million, which is up from 2014 when it was $345.19 million.

According to CSE, India ranks seventh in honey production, with around 65,000 metric tons of honey every year. The study also points out that beekeeping employs more than 2.5 lakh farmers in the country, a number that is increasing continuously.

Experts note that the beekeeping business has grown in parts of north India such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab.

Beekeeping in India

India (1.2 billion people, the territory is 3.2 million sq. km.) is a major producer and exporter of honey. They produce 85,000 tons of honey, “organized” market gets about 50,000 tons.

According to the FAO, in recent years, India is ranked 9th in the top ten of the leading manufacturers of this product.

Indian beekeepers receive 2/3 of honey from wild honey plants, among which an important places are occupied by acacia and eucalyptus. Recently, the demand for pollination of crops by bees, including rape, mustard and sunflower, increases.

In recent years, India exports about 25 thousand tons of honey (in 1999 – 1.5 thousand tons) in 42 countries. Its main customers: the U.S., the EU and the Middle East.

The first research station of beekeeping in Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) was founded in the Punjab in 1945. At present, the different states have 8 such stations and research centers.

India has the capability to increase the number of colonies up to 120 million, and honey production – up to 15 million tons.

However, despite the simplicity of technology and its tremendous advantages as well as its potential of providing employment, honey production has not realized its full potential.  The 65% population of India out of 120 billion is engaged in agriculture related activities but only 2,50,000 farmers are engaged in beekeeping and honey production.

Thus, India has potential to increase its honey production and exports and boost its economy with the Honey Revolution.

(Sources :  1.www.keepingbee.org>beekeepinginindia 2.https://archive.org>stream>16appliedindustryinindia. )

-Shalaka Sawant