J&K buzzes to top 10 in honey production

Srinagar, Apr 14: Jammu and Kashmir is fast emerging as a major player in India’s honey production and export drive, securing the 10th spot among all states and Union Territories.

Riding the wave of a ‘sweet revolution,’ honey yield in the region has more than doubled over the past five years, marking a big leap in the apiculture sector.

While Uttar Pradesh leads the national charts contributing over 30 percent of India's honey output, largely from Saharanpur, dubbed the ‘City of Honey’, Jammu and Kashmir has steadily climbed the ranks.

It now surpasses many larger states, depicting the impact of scientific innovation, grassroots engagement, and targeted government support.

Besides UP, only West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttrakhand, and Madhya Pradesh are ahead of Jammu and Kashmir.

According to the official data available with Greater Kashmir, in 2019, J&K produced 1306.2 tonnes of honey.

By 2024-25, the production soared to 2709.2 tonnes, generating an income of Rs 499.42 crore.

This growth was witnessed in both divisions of J&K – Kashmir (1405 tonnes) and Jammu (1304 tonnes).

The number of bee colonies increased from 1.32 lakh in 2019 to 2.27 lakh in 2024-25, with Kashmir leading at 1,18,538 colonies and Jammu at 1,08,523.

The beekeeping community has also grown with 4819 active beekeepers – 2120 in Kashmir and 2699 in Jammu.

Apiculture has become a vital source of livelihood, contributing to the economy through honey production (Rs 135.46 crore), beeswax (Rs 270.92 crore), pollination services (Rs 22.71 crore), labour (Rs 62.16 crore) and colony division (Rs 8.17 crore).

The data suggests that digital initiatives like the Madhukranti Portal have improved traceability and transparency.

Currently, 1675 beekeepers - 917 from Kashmir and 758 from Jammu - manage 1.76 lakh registered colonies through the platform.

Over the past two years, the apiculture sector has seen significant infrastructure upgrades including nine Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs) – six in Kashmir and three in Jammu; nine beekeeping equipment manufacturing units – five in Kashmir and four in Jammu; apitherapy centres, testing labs, and diagnostic centres - two of each in both Kashmir and Jammu; two honey processing units – one each in Kashmir and Jammu.

Further, 513 beekeepers have benefited from migratory beekeeping incentives - 336 in Kashmir and 177 in Jammu.

Several government initiatives are credited with driving the sector’s progress including Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP), and Capex Budget Allocations.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Assistant Entomologist and Chief Sector Officer, Apiculture, Kashmir, Qazi Showkat Ashraf said, “These schemes provide bee colonies at Rs 1600 each and offer Rs 7500 in incentives for 50 colonies during migratory phases. These also fully cover training and infrastructure development.”

Director of Agriculture, Kashmir, Akyas Khateeb told Greater Kashmir, “In 2024-25 alone, 570 individuals, including beekeepers and officers, received training under 82 scientific programmes, supported by Rs 93.60 lakh from the NBHM.”

On a national scale, India produced 1.33 lakh metric tonnes of honey in 2021–22 and exported 74,413 metric tonnes in 2020-21, earning Rs 1221 crore.

India ranks eighth among the world’s top honey exporters with key markets including the USA, Saudi Arabia, Canada, and Qatar.

According to IMARC Group, India’s honey market, valued at Rs 27 billion in 2024, is expected to reach Rs 50 billion by 2033.

The broader apiculture sector is projected to grow to Rs 68,183 million, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.71 percent.