Gujarat’s ‘Mission Bee’ Drives Honey Production Boom Among Amul Farmers
Empowering Farmers with Training and Resources
Launched in 2022-23 by Gujarat’s Horticulture Department, “Mission Bee” aims to encourage dairy farmers to diversify into beekeeping. The program provides participants with guidance, training, and essential equipment to enhance honey production, processing, packaging, and marketing. Farmers receive ₹10,000, 10 bee boxes, and a honey extractor for every five participants.
The Kheda District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, affiliated with Amul Dairy, enrolled 284 farmers from Anand, Kheda, and Mahisagar districts. These farmers have already set a high benchmark by producing an impressive 16,000 kilograms of honey.
Honey Processing and Financial Gains
Amul Dairy’s processing and packaging facility has processed 2 tonnes of honey under the project. Farmers also benefit from direct sales, generating additional income. Remarkably, within just a year, most participants have recovered a significant portion of their initial investment in beekeeping, which ranges from ₹60,000 to ₹70,000 for ten bee colonies, a bee box, and a honey extractor.
Besides honey, farmers can earn supplementary income from wax, royal jelly, bee venom, and gum. The initiative has created self-employment opportunities in rural areas, supporting the Prime Minister’s vision of doubling farmers’ income. Beekeeping also enhances agricultural productivity through cross-pollination, improving crop yields and fruit quality.
Significant Investment and Future Plans
The program has seen substantial investment. In 2022-23, ₹53 lakh was allocated to Junagadh Agricultural University for a bee breeding and clinic project. For 2024-25, Amul Dairy’s “Mission Bee” project has secured ₹127.43 lakh in assistance, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding the initiative.
By integrating beekeeping into traditional farming, Gujarat’s “Mission Bee” not only boosts rural incomes but also fosters ecological balance, setting a model for sustainable agricultural practices in India.
