‘Sweet Revolution’ in the Himalayas: How National Beekeeping & Honey Mission Creates a Buzz for J&K’s Startups

Ziraat Times Team Report

Srinagar: In the heart of India’s rural transformation story, honey is fast emerging as the new gold. The National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM), a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, is not just sweetening the nation’s agri-economy but also creating a ripple of opportunity for startups and young entrepreneurs—especially in regions like Jammu & Kashmir, where beekeeping blends naturally with the terrain and tradition.

Launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the NBHM aims to promote scientific beekeeping across India with a total outlay of ₹500 crore. Implemented through the National Bee Board (NBB), the scheme focuses on increasing honey production, improving quality standards, boosting exports, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The Mission operates through three “Mini Missions”:

• MM-I: Enhancing productivity and pollination through scientific beekeeping practices.

• MM-II: Strengthening post-harvest infrastructure, including collection, processing, storage, and marketing facilities.

• MM-III: Advancing research, innovation, and technology transfer in apiculture.

So far, the results have been impressive. India’s honey exports reached 1.07 lakh metric tonnes in FY 2023–24, making the country the second-largest honey exporter globally, up from ninth place in 2020. Over 14,800 beekeepers and 206 companies are now registered on the government’s Madhukranti Portal, which ensures traceability and quality control.

A boost for J&K’s budding beekeepers

For Jammu and Kashmir, where rich floral diversity and high-altitude conditions naturally favour apiculture, the Mission is opening doors for innovation-driven agri-startups.

Kupwara, once known mainly for its orchards and forests, is today scripting a success story through honey. Under NBHM, the district received 2,000 bee colonies at a 40% subsidy, alongside the establishment of a ₹25 lakh Honey Processing and Bottling Plant at Gulgam. The locally branded “Kupwara Honey” is already gaining traction in regional markets, with over 500 farmers collectively producing 480 quintals of organic honey annually and generating ₹3 crore in turnover.

Entrepreneurs like Zakir Hussain Bhat embody this transformation. From managing five colonies to now running over 200, Bhat has created local employment while delivering premium organic honey. The government’s push for GI tagging of ‘Kupwara Organic Honey’ is expected to further raise its market value and export potential.

How startups can ride the honey wave

With the government’s focus on promoting agri-entrepreneurs and startups through NBHM, the beekeeping sector is witnessing a wave of innovation—from honey-based wellness products to blockchain traceability systems.

For J&K’s young innovators, this presents opportunities in:

• Value-added products: herbal honey blends, beeswax cosmetics, propolis-based nutraceuticals.

• Tech integration: digital traceability, AI-based bee health monitoring, and e-market platforms.

• Tourism synergy: combining apiculture with eco-tourism and homestay ventures.

With over 100 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) already formed under NBHM—including 97 exclusively for honey producers—the ecosystem is steadily formalizing. This collective framework enables small beekeepers to access markets, finance, and training, fostering entrepreneurship across rural and semi-urban Jammu & Kashmir.

Building a sustainable future

The broader vision of NBHM extends beyond just honey—it’s about biodiversity, women’s empowerment, and ecological balance. By encouraging bee-friendly plantations, pollination-linked farming, and research collaborations, the Mission is turning apiculture into a sustainable development model.

The establishment of Honey Testing Labs, Collection Centres, and Disease Diagnostic Units under NBHM will also help Jammu & Kashmir maintain quality standards for export, particularly vital for regions like Baramulla, Kathua, and Doda that are entering organized honey production.

As India’s “Sweet Revolution” gathers pace, Jammu & Kashmir’s natural potential and entrepreneurial spirit position it at the centre of this growing industry. The region’s youth-led startups, supported by NBHM’s funding, training, and marketing infrastructure, could transform beekeeping into a flagship rural enterprise model—linking the valley’s biodiversity with global trade.

If honey is nature’s way of connecting flowers and forests, NBHM is India’s way of connecting farmers and future innovators. For J&K, the hum of the beehive could soon become the sound of economic renewal—buzzing for a better, sweeter tomorrow.