SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has received 26 projects worth Rs 15.69 crore under the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), with Rs 14.77 crore utilised, according to data tabled in the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare said the NBHM is being implemented as a Central Sector Scheme through the National Bee Board to promote scientific beekeeping, increase honey and beehive-product production, generate income and employment, support livelihoods and strengthen pollination and agricultural productivity.
The data showed that 2,097 beekeepers/entities in JK have registered 2,17,268 bee colonies on the Madhu Kranti Portal. This places JK among the leading Union Territories and states in terms of registered bee colonies under the mission.
Nationwide, 16,788 beekeepers/entities have registered 24,94,101 bee colonies on the portal. Haryana recorded the highest number of registered colonies at 5,00,574, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 5,12,370 and Punjab with 3,08,501.
Under the NBHM, the government has so far established seven honey testing laboratories, 66 mini laboratories for checking adulteration, 83 honey processing units and 90 collection, branding and packaging units. It has also supported 81 Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres for producing quality queen bees and multiplying colonies.
The mission provides project-based assistance for Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres, honey testing and bee disease diagnostic laboratories, capacity building, technology demonstrations, women’s empowerment, marketing, branding, value addition and research and development.
At the national level, honey production increased from 80,530 metric tonnes in 2014-15 to 1,51,690 MT in 2025-26, while honey exports rose from 29,600 MT to 1,14,570.19 MT during the same period. India has become the world’s second-largest exporter of natural honey, the ministry said.
The government, however, said no NBHM project has been sanctioned in Assam’s Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, as reported by the Assam Government.
