J&K’s Golden Harvest: Honey Production Hits 22,000 Quintal Mark

Srinagar July 5: Jammu and Kashmir produces over 22,000 quintals of honey annually, with a significant portion being exported to various states and countries.
According to official figures, there are around 110,000 bee colonies in J&K, with the potential to reach 200,000 colonies. The Union Territory produces 22,000 quintals of honey annually.

“Honey produced in Kashmir is considered the best in India because it is organic. In Kashmir, it is collected from specific sources like Kikar trees. Kikar trees, also known as Vachellia nilotica, produce high-quality nectar that bees use to make honey. Bees collecting nectar from Kikar trees forage in natural, pesticide-free environments, ensuring the honey remains free from chemical contaminants,” a senior official said.
He pointed out that honey collected from mustard fields outside Kashmir is not organic. “In mustard fields, farmers use various chemicals, so the honey does not remain organic,” he added.
He said that beekeepers have been migrating to warmer places during winters for decades. “The annual migration has become a part of life for beekeepers,” he added.
Hundreds of beekeepers transport their hives to warmer regions such as Rajasthan, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh during the winter months. Migrating ensures the hives stay healthy and productive each year. The bees, rejuvenated by the favorable climate, start foraging for nectar and pollen from mustard fields outside Kashmir.
Another senior official highlighted the significant potential for developing beekeeping as a thriving agricultural cottage industry in the region, providing additional income for farmers.
“Through the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), we are implementing a special project to develop apiculture. The government is offering comprehensive support to beekeepers, including financial aid, technical assistance, and training,” he said.
“The government’s support through initiatives like the HADP and the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission further boosts the sector, promising a bright future for Kashmir’s beekeepers and their invaluable bees,” he added.
Mohammad Amin, a beekeeper, said he has around 350 hives and produces about 4,000 kilograms of honey annually.
“Each hive produces 10-15 kilograms of honey, depending on the weather conditions. We earn around Rs 15-20 lakh annually, on which my entire family depends. Besides, I pay Rs 30,000 monthly to each helper who assists me in rearing these bees,” he said.
Currently, the apiculture sector is gaining huge market potential due to the diversity of beehive products. Beekeeping is an enterprise that can provide a complementary source of income for farmers. Seeing the potential, many educated youth have joined this farming and are making their earnings.