This story is from November 7, 2020

Reaping honey-sweet success in Banaskantha, educated young farmers Shun Jobs, take to honey bee farming

When PM Narendra Modi called for a `sweet revolution' in the arid district of Banaskantha in 2016, there were some youngsters who were all ears. Four years later, most of them are reaping sweet benefits as honey-bee farming yields them income ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per annum.
Reaping honey-sweet success in Banaskantha, educated young farmers Shun Jobs, take to honey bee farming
AHMEDABAD: When PM Narendra Modi called for a `sweet revolution' in the arid district of Banaskantha in 2016, there were some youngsters who were all ears. Four years later, most of them are reaping sweet benefits as honey-bee farming yields them income ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per annum.
Pankaj Bhurabhai, a 25-year-old commerce post graduate living in Nagpana village in Deesa, was part of the political rally and decided to become a part of the `sweet revolution'.
In 2017, he trained himself and invested Rs 10,000. This year, he is expecting a bumper income of Rs 30 lakh, double from Rs 15 lakh he earned last year.
Pankaj says he took training in honey farming from Banas dairy. What started as an experiment in 2017 with 10 boxes has now become a case study for other locals to follow. “Within three years, honey bee farming has become our mainstay business. Our traditional farm income waivers but this generates a steady income,” says Pankaj.
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Narsinh Gurjar, in-charge officer of honey collection unit in Banas dairy, says some 63 farmers working in 15 groups sell their honey for Rs 150 per kg. With farmers able to rear 5 kg of honey in a cycle of 5-15 days, their incomes are far better than those earned from other traditional crops.
Dinesh Thakor, 40-year-old farmer in Sherpura village, who spent his life toiling in his farm growing groundnut, castor and sesame only to earn a profit of Rs 1.5 lakh, is expecting his income to soar to Rs 45 lakh this year. He started honey-bee farming as recently as 2018.

Thakor says his 900 bee-hive boxes have changed his family's fortunes. Thakor also goes the extra-mile to infuse flavours in the honey produced as he transports his boxes to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and even Uttar Pradesh. "We transport the honey boxes in mustard farms in Kota and Bharatpur in Rajasthan for the mild mustard flavour, Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh for carom seed flavour and Surendranagar, Bhavnagar, Amreli for fennel flavour," says Thakor.
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Honey-bee farmers say it is a win-win situation for all farmers, honey-bee and others. “Farmers, especially those growing pomegranate and sweet fruit, take out boxes on rent as honey bees help in cross-pollination, increasing the yield by 15-30%," said Dashrath Patel (29), a resident of Limbau village.
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About the Author
Himanshu Kaushik

Himanshu Kaushik is Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India, Ahmedabad. He reports on Wildlife and state government. He takes special interest in reporting on wildlife, especially the lions of Gir. His likes listening to music.

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