If you are a farmer looking for an extra source of income alongside your crops, beekeeping could turn out to be a profitable venture. It is a business with low costs and high returns, and it directly helps increase crop production as well. What makes it even more attractive is the substantial subsidy being offered by the Horticulture Department. Let us understand the entire process in detail.
According to Horticulture Officer Sandeep Kumar Gupta, beekeeping brings all-round benefits to farming. While it gives farmers a means of employment and better earnings, the pollination process can also boost crop production by roughly 30 to 40 percent. In the Mau district of eastern Uttar Pradesh, the activity is usually started after the month of October, once crops like mustard and lahi have been sown. It is during this period that bees gather honey from mustard flowers.
If a farmer begins this work with 50 boxes, a good income soon starts to flow in. The government provides a grant of ₹1,28,000 on these 50 boxes. Starting beekeeping with 50 boxes costs around ₹3,00,000, on which the Horticulture Department is offering a 40 percent subsidy. This government support is given for the domesticated Italian breed of bees, which generally do not sting. These bees move around within a radius of about 3 kilometres to collect honey and return to their boxes by evening.
Earning Up to ₹3 Lakh From 50 Boxes Is Possible
The Horticulture Officer says that proper training and technical know-how for beekeeping can be obtained from the Horticulture Department as well as the Krishi Vigyan Anushasan Kendra, Pilkhi. In addition, practical knowledge can be gained by observing the beehive boxes kept at Ratanpura. By registering with the National Bee Board, the activity can be developed into an organised business. Just 1 to 2 biswa of land is needed for 50 boxes, and this can fetch earnings of up to around ₹3,00,000. The boxes can easily be placed in an orchard, field or any other suitable spot to carry out beekeeping.
How to Avail the Scheme Through the Horticulture Department
Farmers keen to take up this work must first get in touch with the Horticulture Department. By obtaining the right information and technical guidance from the department, farmers can launch this business and increase their income. Beekeeping is considered an easy and rewarding venture because there is demand for honey in almost every household. With more honey produced at low cost and good market prices, it can become a sound business. So, if you wish to benefit from this scheme, be sure to register with the Horticulture Department, so that you receive the government grant and other facilities on time.
