The Government of India has recognized the potential of beekeeping and introduced several schemes to promote this activity. Here’s some prominent beekeeping schemes in India.
Pollination Support through Bee keeping
For pollination support to horticultural crops, Govt. of India assists in Beekeeping under the Mission for Integrated Horticulture (MIDH) scheme. To maximize agricultural production, honeybee can be used as an important input. The responsibility of coordinating the bee-keeping development program in the State will be vested in the identified State Designated Agency (SDA) or any institution/society having the capability. National Bee Board (NBB) will be responsible for coordinating beekeeping activity in states. Assistance will be available. For activities on development of nucleus stock of honey bees, bee breeding, distribution of hives and bee-keeping equipments.
Sweet Kranti
Hon’ble Prime Minister had given a clarion call “SWEET KRANTI” after which Honey Mission was launched by KVIC. The Sweet Kranti scheme, also known as the Honey Mission, is a government initiative in India launched by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) in 2017. It aims to promote beekeeping, also called apiculture, across the country.
- Increased Honey Production: The program aims to significantly boost India’s honey production, making it more readily available and potentially an export product.
- Rural Development and Livelihood Generation: Sweet Kranti focuses on empowering individuals, particularly Adivasis (indigenous communities), farmers, unemployed youth, and women, by providing them with the training and resources to start beekeeping ventures. This can be a source of additional income and contribute to rural economic development.
- Improved Crop Yield: Honeybees play a crucial role in pollination, which helps increase the yield of various crops. By encouraging beekeeping, the Sweet Kranti scheme indirectly supports overall agricultural productivity.
Benefits
- Financial Assistance: The scheme offers financial aid to beekeepers in the form of subsidized bee boxes, beekeeping equipment, and training programs.
- Training and Support: KVIC provides beekeepers with comprehensive training on beehive management, honey extraction, and other essential beekeeping practices.
- Processing and Marketing Support: The initiative helps beekeepers connect with processing facilities and marketing channels, ensuring they get fair prices for their honey.
- Mobile Processing Units: A recent development under Sweet Kranti involves mobile honey processing vans that visit beekeepers directly, reducing transportation costs and streamlining the processing process.
Agriculture Finance Bee Keeping Madhu Makshika Palan (Apiculture) by IDBI Bank
Agriculture Finance Bee Keeping Madhu Makshika Palan (Apiculture) is a term loan program offered by IDBI Bank in India to support individuals and organizations interested in starting beekeeping ventures. Loan Purpose: The loan is specifically designed to finance the setting up of beekeeping units for honey production. This can include funding for:
- Bee colonies
- Beehives and beekeeping equipment
- Protective gear for beekeepers
- Transportation for beehives
Loan Eligibility
The IDBI Bank Bee Keeping Madhu Makshika Palan (Apiculture) loan is available to a wide range of applicants, including:
- Individual farmers (existing or new)
- Non-farmers interested in starting beekeeping
- Groups of farmers
- Self-help groups (SHGs)
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Partnership firms and proprietary firms
- Cooperative societies
Loan Features
- Loan amount: Up to Rs. 5 crore (approximately $72,600 USD)
- Repayment period: 5 to 7 years
- Interest rates: Competitive market rates
- Margin money: Required, but the exact percentage may vary
- Back-ended subsidy: Available from government bodies like DRDA, KVIC, or KVIB
IDBI Bank offers loans to individual farmers / non-farmers, groups of farmers, SHGs, NGOs, Partnership / proprietary firms, and co-ops. Societies. The loan is granted to set up units for the production of Honey. The back-ended subsidy is available from DRDA / KVIC / KVIB. The loan will be required between 5 to 7 years by quarterly/half-yearly instalments inclusive of 11 months gestation period.
Mukhyamantri Madhu Vikas Yojana
The Mukhyamantri Madhu Vikas Yojana is a scheme launched by the Himachal Pradesh government in India specifically to promote beekeeping and honey production within the state. The goal of the scheme is to Encourage farmers, especially unemployed youth, to take up beekeeping as a source of livelihood, Boost honey production and overall income of farmers in rural areas and promote beekeeping as a sustainable agricultural practice.
Benefits
- Financial assistance is provided to set up bee colonies. This can cover up to 80% of the cost for establishing up to 50 bee colonies per beneficiary.
- Training programs are organized for new beekeepers to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills.
- Subsidies are offered on various beekeeping equipment, including beehives, honey extractors, and food-grade containers.
- Support for transportation costs associated with beekeeping activities may be available in some instances.
- Exposure visits and educational tours to renowned beekeeping institutions within India and abroad might be offered to selected beekeepers.
Information on eligibility criteria may vary slightly depending on the specific program details under the Mukhyamantri Madhu Vikas Yojana. However, generally:
- Bona fide residents of Himachal Pradesh are eligible.
- The scheme might target unemployed youth or farmers interested in beekeeping as an additional income source.
- Some programs might have specific categories like women or physically challenged individuals for additional support.
Government beekeeping schemes are a win-win situation. They create new opportunities for individuals while promoting sustainable agricultural practices. If you’ve ever considered becoming a beekeeper, these programs can provide the wings you need to take flight.So, research the schemes available in your region, and get ready to be a part of the solution for a healthier, more productive future!