19-05-2025
Rs 8.76cr financial aid boosts beekeeping in Gujarat
Slug: World Bee Day
Gandhinagar: More than 11,300 farmers were provided training in beekeeping, said the state govt, ahead of the occasion of World Bee Day which is observed on Tuesday, May 20.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
Financial assistance of Rs 8.76 crore was provided to promote beekeeping as a source of income, the govt added.
An official statement quoting agriculture minister Raghavji Patel said that farmers are increasingly adopting beekeeping as a supplementary business alongside agriculture. "Over the last decade, there was a notable increase in the number of farmers engaged in
," the minister was quoted as saying.
Through central and state govt schemes, Rs 8.76 crore was disbursed to farmers engaged in beekeeping.
This includes Rs 4.18 crore to 1,245 beneficiaries for establishing bee colonies, Rs 4.15 crore to 1,234 beneficiaries for purchasing beehives, and Rs 33 lakh to 317 beneficiaries for honey extractors, according to the statement.
Under Mission Bee, advanced training was provided to around 11,300 beneficiary farmers in the state so far. Special seminars are also being organised at Aravalli, Rajkot, Surendranagar, and Valsad, where beekeeping activities are popular.
In 2024, the value of the beekeeping market in India was Rs 2,839.44 crore. India exported 1,07,963.21 metric tonnes of honey, valued at Rs 1,518.86 crore, the statement said.
Retired scientist develops integrated hive management system
Gandhinagar: A retired ISRO scientist, Madhukant Patel, developed an "integrated hive management system" — a beehive equipped with sensors to detect temperature, humidity, weight, and the buzzing of bees. It also includes a spectrometer that can determine the protein content, adulteration, and moisture level in honey. The handheld spectrometer estimates the quality and purity of honey and can trace its origin.
This technology aims to increase the production of honey and other bee products like royal jelly, pollen, propolis, and wax, an official statement said.
