Beekeeping is making a robust comeback as a sustainable and profitable venture. For farmers and urban dwellers alike, beekeeping offers more than just honey. It promises a sustainable livelihood, enriches biodiversity, and strengthens food security.
Unlike conventional crops, beekeeping requires a one-time investment and you’d be able to recover the investment within a year!
If this captivating journey to the land of honey and prosperity tempts you, here are some ultimate tips shared by seasoned beekeepers to get you started on your own hive.
1. Anyone above 15 can start beekeeping
Karnataka-based Apoorva BV emphasises that the primary ingredient to starting beekeeping is passion. He reassures that you do not need a vast farm or a garden to start beekeeping.
“The only prerequisite is to have a keen interest in rearing bees and a good eye to track the progress of your box. Anyone above the age of 15 can start a bee farm. It requires just 20 minutes of your time every week. Once you become proficient, not even that much!” says Apoorva, who manages 550 hives in Bengaluru and clocks an annual turnover of Rs 2 crore.
2. Choose the right variety
Haryana-based Jagpal Singh Phogat raises the Apis mellifera variety of honey bees. He informs that this variety offers high production and boosts pollination. “During the flowering season, honey can be harvested within just 10 days. On average, I get around 40 kg of honey per box annually,” he adds.
3. Select the right location
Beekeeping can thrive almost anywhere — from farms to balconies. Ensure your site is clear of fire hazards and industrial disturbances but rich in nectar sources like sunflowers, hibiscus, and flowering trees. In addition to this, ensure nearby access to fresh running water and avoid stagnant sources. Precision in placement can enhance honey quality.
Bensislas from Kerala finds success by aligning his hives with seasonal blooms in his area’s unique flora, whether in his rubber plantation or moringa farm. “Wherever we place the box, the bees try to source nectar from its immediate surroundings. Therefore, it’s important to see where we place the boxes. Yearly, I receive around 1,500 kg of honey and make around Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a month from the sales,” he adds.
4. Handle with care
Beekeeping demands both caution and the right equipment. A full bee suit is essential for heavy-duty tasks, while hats with retractable veils suffice for lighter work, preventing stray bees from becoming tangled in your hair.
Jagpal recalls an unpleasant early experience, where a lack of understanding led to swollen eyes from bee stings. His passion, however, motivated him to learn more about bee behaviour and handling. He advises removing hive frames gently to avoid startling the bees and cautions against wearing perfumes, aromatic oils, or black clothing, which can irritate them.
Begin with a Rs 5,000 bee box and necessary protective gear, he advises.
5. Maximise returns with byproducts
Honey harvesting needn’t be daunting — it can be a seamless process with great returns. By focusing on niche products like moringa and rubber honey, you can tap into specialised markets for higher profits.
In addition to this, expand your offerings as Jagpal has, with byproducts like beeswax, soap, bee pollen, and royal jelly. Last year, he achieved an annual turnover of Rs 2 crore by selling raw honey and its byproducts.
Beekeeping isn’t just a business; it’s a calling to be custodians of the environment. By nurturing bees, we nurture the earth. Whether in the bustling city or tranquil countryside, the promise of prosperity through beekeeping is boundless.
Begin today with the hum of bees leading you toward a future ripe with possibility and sweetened with success!
Edited by Arunava Banerjee.
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