Context: India has doubled honey production from 76,000 MT to over 1.5 lakh MT in the last decade and has tripled honey exports, signalling the success of the government’s “Sweet Revolution”. Much of this growth is attributed to the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), a central initiative focused on scientific beekeeping, crop pollination, and value-added honey production.
About the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)
NBHM is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
The mission was launched under Atmanirbhar Bharat (FY 2020–21 to 2022–23) and later extended to FY 2025–26 to scale honey production and beekeeper incomes.
Objectives
- Enhance honey and hive-product production
- Improve agricultural productivity through scientific pollination
- Increase incomes of beekeepers, farmers, and FPOs
- Promote quality assurance and reduce adulteration
Implementing Agency
The mission is implemented by the National Bee Board (NBB).
Mission Structure (Three Mini-Missions)
1. Mini Mission–I: Production Enhancement
- Promotes scientific beekeeping, modern hive boxes, and bee-friendly flora
- Supports adoption of improved apiary equipment and quality queen bees
2. Mini Mission–II: Post-Harvest & Market Infrastructure
- Establishes honey testing labs, processing units, storage facilities, and value-addition clusters
- Builds organised market linkages for domestic and export markets
3. Mini Mission–III: Research & Innovation
- Funds region-specific R&D to adapt bees to diverse agro-climatic conditions
- Supports studies on pollination efficiency, disease management, and advanced beekeeping technologies
Key Initiatives under NBHM
1. Digital Monitoring: Madhukranti Portal
- Provides honey traceability, registration of beekeepers, and supply-chain transparency
- Reduces adulteration and builds consumer trust
2. Institutional Strengthening
- Formation of beekeeper FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives
- Special focus on women-led enterprises and skill building
3. Skills & Value Addition
- Hands-on training, exposure visits, and technology dissemination
- Promotion of high-value hive products such as royal jelly, propolis, and beeswax
4. Research Facility
- Establishment of the National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping (NCOE), IIT Roorkee
- Supports advanced training, innovation, and industry-academia linkages
Other Government Initiatives Supporting Honey Production
1. KVIC’s Honey Mission
- Provides bee boxes, toolkits, and training to rural youth
- Enhances self-employment and ecological sustainability
2. Export Support
- APEDA strengthens compliance through quality certification, laboratory testing, and a Minimum Export Price system
3. GI-Tag-Based Branding
- GI tags for regional honeys—e.g., Ramban Sulai (J&K), Sundarban Mouban (West Bengal)—promote niche markets and export potential
Conclusion
The NBHM has emerged as a critical driver of India’s “Sweet Revolution,” enhancing honey production, improving farmer incomes, and expanding the export footprint.
With digital traceability, scientific research, and strong institutional support, India is poised to become a global hub for high-quality honey and pollination services.