Beekeeping Could Play A Key Role In Doubling Farmers’ Income By 2022, Says Bibek Debroy-Led Panel’s Report

Beekeeping could play a pivotal role in doubling the income of farmers across the nation by 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s economic advisors said in a report released on Wednesday (26 June), reports LiveMint.

The report has been brought out by a panel led by eminent economist Bibek Debroy, who is also the chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council (EAC). The report explores ways to provide much needed impetus to farm productivity and job creation.

“Based on the area under cultivation in India and bee forage crops, India has a potential of about 200 million bee colonies as against 3.4 million bee colonies today. Increasing the number of bee colonies will not only increase the production of bee-related products but will boost overall agricultural and horticultural productivity," said the statement.

As of 2017-18, India ranked eighth globally in the production of honey with an annual output of 64,900 tonne. China topped the list of honey producing nations with an annual output of 5,51,000 tonnes.

As per the report, experts in the panel have found that beekeeping need not be restricted to honey and wax alone. Products such as pollen and bee venom are also salable and can help boost farmers’ income.