Beekeeping to Sweeten the Lives of Farmers
State Government Providing Subsidy for Beekeeping
Udaipur: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhajanlal Sharma, the state government is firmly committed to the welfare and upliftment of farmers and livestock rearers. In this direction, the government has implemented a subsidy scheme to promote beekeeping, through which farmers can earn a substantial additional income and bring sweetness into their lives.
Deputy Director (Horticulture) Dr. Kailashchandra Sharma stated that beekeeping is not only a low-cost enterprise but also plays a vital role in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and environmental conservation. Bees act as beneficial insects by assisting in pollination, which can increase crop productivity by 15 to 20 percent. In addition, various bee products such as honey, royal jelly, pollen, wax, and propolis generate indirect employment and create opportunities for several allied businesses.
Commercial Beekeeping
The Italian bee species (Apis mellifera) is considered the best for commercial beekeeping due to the queen bee’s high egg-laying capacity and superior honey collection ability. From two box units, approximately 40–60 kg or more honey per year can be obtained, making it an ideal species for commercial purposes.
Eligibility for Subsidy
To avail of the subsidy, a farmer must possess a minimum landholding of 0.40 hectares.
Subsidy Provisions
The cost of an eight-frame bee colony is ₹2,000 and the cost of a bee box is also ₹2,000. A subsidy of 40 percent of the cost or a maximum of ₹800 per unit (whichever is lower) is payable.
A farmer can procure a maximum of 50 bee boxes, 50 bee colonies, and a beekeeping kit from registered firms. The subsidy amount will be paid in a 60:40 ratio over two years. In this way, a farmer can receive a subsidy of up to ₹80,000 for beekeeping.
Subsidy for Migration of Bee Colonies
Since bees depend mainly on pollen and nectar for nutrition, farmers should ensure the availability of sufficient natural pollen sources throughout the year in their area before adopting beekeeping. When flowering ends locally, farmers can migrate bee boxes to other districts or states, and transportation expenses for such migration are also eligible for subsidy.
Application Process
Dr. Sharma informed that interested farmers can apply online through e-Mitra or by logging in with their SSO ID on the Raj Kisan Sathi portal, using Jan Aadhaar and uploading a certified Jamabandi (land record not older than six months). For further information, farmers may contact the Department of Horticulture, Udaipur.
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