Alternative paths to prosperity

In a story of innovation and resilience, 29-year-old Nisar Ahmad, an Economics postgraduate from Bramri in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, has become a symbol of self-reliance and inspiration through his successful beekeeping venture. In a region where educated youth often struggle to find stable employment, Nisar has shown that there are alternative paths to prosperity.

After completing his Master’s in Economics from Dehradun in 2018, Nisar’s classmates were busy preparing for government jobs or further studies, but financial constraints required him to return to Kashmir to support his family. Back home, he initially worked as a teacher at a private school in Kulangam, Handwara, but quickly realized the job wasn’t sufficient to meet his family’s needs. Determined to find a sustainable solution, Nisar left his teaching position in October 2018 and began searching for other opportunities.

In April 2019, he attended an awareness programme organised by the Agriculture Department in his village, Bramri, which sparked his interest in beekeeping. Inspired by the potential of the trade, Nisar decided to pursue beekeeping as his career. With determination and support from local agricultural experts, he set up a small beekeeping unit, quickly learning the craft of honey production.

Today, Nisar’s venture has blossomed into a successful enterprise, providing him with a steady income and making him a beacon of hope for other unemployed youth in the region. His success underscores the value of innovation and the importance of exploring diverse opportunities for self-sufficiency in Kashmir. Nisar Ahmad’s story is a reminder of how, with initiative and persistence, young entrepreneurs can turn challenges into opportunities, contributing to both personal growth and the local economy.

“Although thirty-odd unemployed youth attended the awareness programme, who at the end was offered a three-month innovative farming training course by agriculture officials at Sheri Kashmir Agricultural University of Science and Technology (SKAUST), no one except me got ready to undergo training,” Nisar Ahmad Ganie told this correspondent at his beekeeping unit.
Nisar initially established a mushroom cultivation unit with the assistance of the Agriculture Department and continued with the cultivation for the first two years earning him a substantial amount.

Two years back Nisar took a transition and tried his luck at beekeeping. "I approached the Agriculture Department Kupwara intending to set up a beekeeping unit. The officials encouraged and provided me with all the related information and guidance. I had to spend one lakh and twenty-eight thousand rupees for thirty-five colonies. A few months later I received one lakh rupees back from the department as a subsidy making things even easier for me," Nisar added.
"Initially I was able to harvest eighty kilograms of honey following which the production increased manifold. Presently I can produce 9-10 quintals of honey annually and each kg fetches me Rs 1000-1200," said Ahmad.

With the dedication and hard-work put in by Nisar and his father, the colonies which were initially thirty-five have now raised to a hundred. "After every three months I can extract 2-3 quintals of honey," he said.
According to Nisar, the best quality honey happens to be that produced by honey bees in the Autumn season.

Nisar has been able to lead a better and more financially stable life ever since he started his luck at beekeeping. He said that it has been his second year in this profession which he feels happens to be a success for him.

“Had I not quit my private school teacher job at the right time, I would have been certainly discontented with the rest of the colleagues but I took the initiative and look, I am earning beyond my expectations,” Nisar added.

“I feel really happy whenever educated youth approaches me for guidance. I take them to my unit and give them practical training. I do encourage them to start their ventures so that they can become self-reliant,” he said.

“Even Agriculture Department take my services whenever there is any awareness programme by the department. I have shared my experience numerous times with those who want to start their units,” said the Economics Post Graduate.

“I feel that government cannot give jobs to everyone so the need of the hour is that the educated unemployed youth should rise to the occasion and start their ventures but unfortunately most of the youth in Kashmir yearn for white collar jobs which seems difficult due to unavailability of the corporate sector in Kashmir,” said Nisar.

“We should take advantage of whatever is feasible and convenient here and should not stick to government jobs only. There are hundreds of financial schemes being run by different government departments which I believe youth should take advantage of,” Nisar added.