National Beekeeping and Honey Mission 2025
Table of Contents
The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) a Central Sector Scheme promoting scientific beekeeping, rural livelihoods, and export growth. Implementing by the National Bee Board (NBB) NBHM scheme not only strengthens the beekeeping ecosystem but also ensures farmers benefit from pollination-based crop yield improvements and the booming honey industry.
Key Highlights of NBHM
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2020-21 (Under Atmanirbhar Bharat) |
| Implementing Agency | National Bee Board (NBB) |
| Budget Outlay | ₹500 crore (FY 2020–26) |
| Extension | Up to FY 2025–26 with ₹370 crore remaining |
| Mission Goal | Promote scientific beekeeping and boost rural income |
| Total Honey Produced (2024) | 1.4 lakh metric tonnes |
| Honey Export (FY 2023-24) | 1.07 lakh MT worth USD 177.55 million |
| India’s Global Rank (2024) | 2nd largest exporter of honey |
Objectives of the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission
NBHM aims to bring about holistic growth of the beekeeping industry and empower farmers through the following objectives:
- Enhance income and employment through beekeeping and honey production.
- Promote pollination to increase agricultural and horticultural productivity.
- Establish quality control labs, processing units, and honey corridors.
- Create a traceability system through the Madhukranti Portal for transparency.
- Encourage women empowerment through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
- Promote agri-startups and entrepreneurs in the honey sector.
Structure of NBHM: The 3 Mini Missions
| Mini Mission | Focus Area | Key Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| MM-I | Productivity enhancement via scientific beekeeping | Crop yield improvement & farmer income rise |
| MM-II | Post-harvest management, collection, and marketing | Development of infrastructure for honey processing |
| MM-III | Research & technology generation | Regional R&D and innovation in beekeeping |
Major Achievements under NBHM (2020–2025)
- Infrastructure Growth:
- 6 world-class Honey Testing Labs and 47 Mini Labs established.
- 26 Honey Processing Units and 18 Branding & Marketing Centers sanctioned.
- National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping established at IIT Roorkee.
- Women Empowerment:
- 167 SHG activities approved for women across various states.
- Madhukranti Portal:
- 14,859 beekeepers, 269 societies, 150 firms, and 206 companies registered.
- FPO Development:
- 97 out of 100 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) formed for honey producers.
India’s Global Honey Export Growth
| Year | Quantity (in MT) | Export Value (in USD Million) |
|---|---|---|
| FY 2020-21 | 59,999 | 96.77 |
| FY 2023-24 | 1,07,000 | 177.55 |
- Note: India jumped from 9th to 2nd position in global honey exports within four years.
- Major Export Destinations: USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya
- Top Producing States: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, Rajasthan
Madhukranti Portal
The Madhukranti Portal enables online registration and product traceability, ensuring quality and transparency in honey production and export. It connects beekeepers, traders, and exporters under one digital platform strengthening accountability and export credibility.
National Bee Board (NBB)
National Bee Board (NBB) Formed in 2000 acts as the nodal agency for scientific beekeeping in India. It coordinates NBHM implementation, policy framing, capacity building, and monitoring to ensure farmer-centric and sustainable apiculture growth.
Impact of the Sweet Revolution
- Promoted scientific beekeeping as a profitable rural enterprise.
- Improved pollination efficiency and boosted agricultural productivity.
- Created rural employment and women-led entrepreneurship.
- Positioned India as a global honey exporter and innovation hub.
FAQs on National Beekeeping and Honey Mission
What is the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission?
It’s a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare promoting scientific beekeeping, honey production, and export development.
When was NBHM launched?
It was launched in 2020-21 under Atmanirbhar Bharat with a total budget of ₹500 crore.
What are the three Mini Missions under NBHM?
MM-I: Productivity & pollination, MM-II: Post-harvest & marketing, MM-III: Research & technology generation.
How does the Madhukranti Portal help?
It ensures traceability of honey sources and promotes transparency by registering beekeepers, firms, and societies digitally.
Which states lead in honey production?
Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, and Rajasthan are India’s top honey producers.
Why is the scheme called the “Sweet Revolution”?
Because it aims to transform rural livelihoods by boosting honey production just like the Green and White Revolutions transformed agriculture and dairy.
For Aspirants
The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is a shining example of how government initiatives link rural empowerment with sustainable agriculture. For aspirants preparing for APPSC, UPSC, or SSC exams, NBHM is crucial for topics like Government Schemes, Agriculture, Rural Development, and Economy.
Source: PIB
