Sweet success: India becomes a global leader in honey production

Times of Oman

2 days ago

New Delhi: Once considered a modest, cottage-scale activity, beekeeping in India has grown into a thriving sector, fuelling livelihoods, empowering rural communities, and offering a golden promise for sustainable agriculture.p
With honey production soaring to around 1.25 lakh metric tonnes—a remarkable 60% increase—India is scripting a sweet success story that reflects innovation, resilience, and foresight.
This rise is not just about quantity. It is emblematic of a larger transformation in India's agricultural landscape.
Honey is now more than a pantry staple—it is a symbol of India's organic aspirations, a tool for environmental conservation, and a catalyst for rural economic empowerment.
A blooming sector rooted in tradition
Beekeeping in India is no novelty. For centuries, honey has been cherished in Ayurveda for its medicinal properties and revered in spiritual rituals.
However, the modern momentum behind the sector began in earnest over the last two decades, particularly with the concerted efforts of the central government, state bodies, and grassroots initiatives.
The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), launched under the Ministry of Agriculture, has played a pivotal role by supporting scientific beekeeping, improving infrastructure, and providing access to markets.
Today, India ranks among the top 10 honey producers globally.
From the Sundarbans in West Bengal to the Shivalik hills of Himachal Pradesh, and from the Nilgiris to the desert landscapes of Rajasthan, beekeeping has become a pan-Indian endeavour.
Farmers, especially small and marginal ones, are increasingly adopting beekeeping as a supplementary source of income, enhancing their resilience to seasonal agricultural fluctuations.
Empowering rural communities and women
The growth of honey production has not only boosted the economy—it has also transformed lives at the grassroots.
Beekeeping requires minimal investment but offers high returns, making it an ideal venture for rural households.
It has created new opportunities for self-help groups, farmer-producer organisations (FPOs), and tribal cooperatives.
A notable aspect of this growth is the increasing participation of women in apiculture.
Across states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu, women beekeepers are emerging as leaders in honey production, processing, and marketing. They are not only earning income but also gaining skills, confidence, and independence.
The government's support through training programmes, subsidies for bee boxes, and access to credit has catalysed this change.
The result is a vibrant ecosystem where rural entrepreneurship is thriving, powered by nothing more than the diligent labour of bees and the commitment of their keepers.
Enhancing pollination and agricultural yield
Honey production is not just about harvesting nature's sweetness—it is also about sustaining ecosystems.
Bees play a critical role in pollination, and their presence boosts the productivity of numerous crops, including fruits, vegetables, pulses, and oilseeds. Studies have shown that crop yields can increase by up to 30% with effective pollination.
As India pushes towards greater food security and climate-resilient agriculture, beekeeping offers a natural, low-cost method to increase output without harming the environment.
The symbiosis between bees and crops underlines a deeper truth: that sustainability and productivity can go hand-in-hand.
This aspect of beekeeping has also attracted attention from agri-tech startupsand researchers, who are now developing innovative techniques such as smart bee boxes, digital hive monitoring, and GPS-based tracking of bee colonies.
The integration of technology is helping beekeepers optimise productivity, reduce losses, and improve the quality of honey.
A rising star in global honey trade
India's honey is not only in demand domestically but also abroad.
With its diverse flora, India produces a wide variety of honey—mustard, eucalyptus, multiflora, lychee, sunflower, and forest honey, among others. Indian honey is particularly prized for its natural purity and medicinal properties.
Exports have surged over the past decade, with Indian honey finding its way to markets in the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bangladesh, and Europe.
The government has also set up quality control labs to ensure that honey meets international standards, strengthening the credibility of Indian honey in the global marketplace.
Brand India is slowly but surely establishing its presence in the health-conscious segments of the global food industry.
As the demand for natural sweeteners and organic food continues to grow worldwide, Indian honey is poised to capture a significant share of this expanding market.
A future rich with possibilities
The road ahead for India's honey sector is brimming with potential.
With expanding domestic demand, export opportunities, and supportive policies, honey is emerging as a strategic commodity for India's rural economy.
Going forward, there is immense scope for value addition.
Products like beeswax candles, royal jelly, propolis, bee venom, and pollen are increasingly being recognised for their health and cosmetic benefits.
These by-products can open new income streams for beekeepers and entrepreneurs, particularly in the wellness, nutraceutical, and organic skincare sectors.
There is also growing potential in urban beekeeping.
Rooftop hives in cities are gaining popularity in eco-conscious circles, not just for honey but for environmental education and biodiversity support.
Urban apiculture can create green pockets in cities and enhance public awareness about pollinators' crucial role.
Moreover, India's beekeeping success can serve as a model for other developing nations.
Sharing best practices, training modules, and research insights with neighbouring countries in South Asia and Africa could position India as a global hub for sustainable apiculture development.
Sweetening the Indian growth story
In a time where the world is seeking more sustainable and inclusive forms of growth, India's honey revolution offers a perfect example of how traditional knowledge, when paired with modern support and innovation, can transform lives and economies.
What began as a cottage industry is now a robust sector contributing to rural prosperity, biodiversity conservation, and international trade.
With the continued support of policymakers, the enthusiasm of farmers, and the tireless efforts of millions of bees, India's honey story is only beginning to unfold.
As the country continues to climb the ladder of global honey production, it carries with it not just the promise of economic growth but a vision of harmony between nature and development.
India's rise as a honey superpower isn't just a triumph of apiculture—it is a testament to what's possible when sustainability, empowerment, and enterprise come together.