Honey production potential in Northeast

Climate change impact has brought sustainable farming to the centre stage of discourse on food security worldwide. Bees with their vital role as pollinator can be saviour of plant diversities, conservation of which is vital for mitigation of climate change impact. According to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, about 75 percent of the world's crops – which produce fruits and other seeds for human consumption – depend, at least in part, on pollinators including bees. Addressing threats from agricultural practices and other factors that have endangered existence of bee species, therefore, needs urgent policy support by the national and state governments. The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) initiated by the Central Government is aimed at promoting scientific beekeeping for holistic growth of beekeeping industry for income and employment generation, providing livelihood support to farm and non-farm households. The Mission also aims enhancing enhance agriculture/ horticulture production, developing infrastructural facilities for postharvest management of honey and other beehive products to support honey hubs/clusters under NBHM. Sustainable organic farming and scientific beekeeping therefore, can be mutually beneficial and are crucial in achieving the objective of pollinator-friendly agricultural production to sustain plant diversities with the help of bees and protection of bees from endangering threats posed by pesticides, forest destruction, loss of biodiversity, habitat fragmentation, changes in agricultural land use, industrial pollution etc. Agricultural practices in the Northeast region being organic by default and its rich plant varieties and biodiversity have made it a natural honey production hub in India. India’s export of natural honey increased from about 60000 MT worth Rs 721 crores in 2020-21 to about 74,450 MT worth Rs 1221 crores in 2021-22 with United States accounting for nearly 80% of the export volume. Other export destinations include United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arab, Nepal and Morocco. The export growth is indicative of the boost in production of export-quality natural honey under NBHM. Under the flagship mission, funds are sanctioned directly to implementing agencies on the basis of projects submitted to the National Bee Board. However, share of northeast region of the export market is insignificant which speak volume about the failure of the states in the region to make best use of the opportunities under NBHM to boost export of natural honey. Export statistics show that total export of natural honey from the region in 2021-22 was a just 3.78 MT worth only Rs 7 lakh. Total honey production in the country in 2021-21 is estimated at 1.33 lakh MT. The northeast region produces about 500 MT of natural honey of which Assam accounts for about 25%. Compared to total honey production and export quantity of natural honey of the country, the production and export figures of the northeast region tells the story of untapped potential of commercial production of natural honey in the region despite having natural advantages. It also tells a larger story of apathy of government officials in building awareness among beekeepers about the schemes available, providing hand holding support to avail them, disconnect of producers and officials with market potential and realities and lack of entrepreneurship. While training workshop, seminars, meetings galore in the region, initiatives apparently lack the required follow-up activities on the part of government departments and agencies. Absence of clear goals of learning outcomes of the capacity building and training workshop in application of the knowledge in actually boosting production is one factor hindering the desired growth. Complacency over incremental growth in production often overshadows the harsh realities of wide regional disparity in production and marketing. More ambitious targets backed up special awareness drive not just for boosting production but also grooming entrepreneurs in honey processing and marketing can be expected to bring an end to the gloomy situation. Growing health consciousness among the people, more particularly among youth, has led to increase in domestic demand for natural honey and the northeast region is no exception. Tapping the growing market demand within the region alone can generate huge livelihood opportunities in honey production. Apart from the NBHM, states in the region pushing beekeeping and honey production in mission mode can help unlock the potential. Conservation of forests in the region from being fragmented is crucial to protect wild flora which are foraged by honeybees for nectar and pollens required for honey production from becoming extinct. Vast stretches of mustard seed cultivation fields in Assam remaining free from harmful effect of pesticide use is critical for sustaining the bees and other pollinators for conservation of plant diversities. A host of trans-border connectivity projects as well as multimodal connectivity projects within the region have pushed the northeast region on the cusp of a new growth trajectory. Promoting beekeeping and honey production with an eye on the expanding domestic and export market can help the region derive the benefits of growing sweet revolution in India.