National Beekeeping & Honey Mission

The National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) represents a transformative policy intervention driving India’s “Sweet Revolution.”

About the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission 

• Type: A Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India in 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• Implementing Agency: Implemented through the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Funding: 100% Central Funding with total outlay of ₹500 crore for 2020–21 to 2022–23, extended further for 2023–24 to 2025–26.
• Structure: The Mission is organized into Three Mini Missions (MMs) for coordinated implementation:
  • Mini Mission I – Production & Productivity: Promotes pollination services and adoption of scientific beekeeping practices to enhance crop yield.
  • Mini Mission II – Post-Harvest Management & Marketing: Focuses on collection, processing, storage, branding, packaging, value addition, and market linkage of honey and bee products.
    • Establishment of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres (IBDCs) and Honey Testing Laboratories.
  • Mini Mission III – Research & Technology Development: Emphasises research, innovation, and technology adaptation for diverse agro-climatic zones.
• Significance: The scheme forms the backbone of India’s “Sweet Revolution”, aimed at achieving self-reliance in apiculture and boosting farmers’ income.

Key Objectives of NBHM

• Holistic Industry Growth: Promote overall development of the beekeeping sector to boost income and employment generation.
• Infrastructure Development: Create facilities for nucleus stock multiplication, honey processing, packaging, and branding.
• Quality and Safety Assurance: Establish quality control labs and disease diagnostic centers for honey and hive product testing.
• Digital Traceability: Implement blockchain-based systems to ensure honey origin and purity through digital platforms.
• Honey Corridors & Entrepreneurship: Develop Honey Corridors and encourage agri-entrepreneurship and startups in apiculture.

Status of Honey Production

• Production (2024): Approx. 1.4 lakh metric tonnes of natural honey.
• Major Producing States: Uttar Pradesh (17%), West Bengal (16%), Punjab (14%), Bihar (12%), Rajasthan (9%).
• Global Standing: India is now the 2nd largest exporter of natural honey (after China), up from 9th in 2020.
• Export Volume (FY 2023–24): 1.07 lakh MT of natural honey worth USD 177.52 million, up from 59,999 MT worth USD 96.77 million in FY 2020–21.
• Major destinations: USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya.

National Bee Board (NBB)

• Established: 2000 under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, promoted by Small Farmers’ Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC).
• Reconstituted: In 2006 under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Chairperson: Secretary (Agriculture & Cooperation).
• Mandate: 
• • Promote scientific beekeeping, crop pollination, and quality honey production.
  • Serve as the nodal agency for implementing the NBHM.

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