Beekeeping

Honeybee Production in Uttarakhand

• Uttarakhand contributes 2.33% to the production of honey in India.
• Uttarakhand ranks 8th in total honey production in India.
• Uttarakhand saw an increase in honey production from the past two consecutive years by 7.41% & 3.57%
• Uttarakhand has the potential to produce more organic/pollution-free honey due to its forest cover of 45.44% and improved scientific beekeeping practices
• All honey farmers come from small and marginal farmers keeping Apis Cerana Species.

Beekeeping is identified as one of the potential activities under the Cooperative sector which can be developed through cooperative institutions. UKCDP directorate has planned a Cooperative-Corporate Partnership (CCP) model for the development of this project. Under this model, UKCDP shall onboard a Joint Venture Partner (an organization with existing business in beekeeping) through the RfP process to form a Joint Venture Company in collaboration with the District Cooperative Development Federation (DCDF) for the development and management of beekeeping value chain.

The project plans to facilitate income opportunities for at least 1000 farmers in the identified districts of Uttarakhand in the initial phase. It will support augmenting the distribution, training, collection, processing, marketing, and distribution of honey by the producers in an organized manner.