Why in the News
India is the 2nd largest honey producer and 3rd largest exporter by value. However, around 76% of exports go to the U.S., while India’s honey has a relatively low unit value of about $1,858/tonne.
What is Apiculture?
- Apiculture is the scientific rearing of honey bees in artificial hives for honey, hive products and pollination.
- Apis mellifera: Italian bee
- Apis cerana indica: Indian hive bee
- Apis dorsata: Rock bee
- Apis florea: Little bee
- Products include honey, beeswax, propolis, royal jelly, pollen and bee venom.
Key Facts
- Production: ~76,000 tonnes (2013-14) → ~1.51 lakh tonnes (2025-26)
- India: 2nd largest producer globally
- ~70% production exported
- U.S.: ~76% of India’s honey exports
- Pollination: Bees contribute to 87 of 115 major food crops.
- Domestic consumption: only ~37 g/person/year
What is NMR Testing?
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) testing analyses the molecular profile of honey to detect: Added sugar syrups, Botanical origin, and Geographical origin. It is increasingly important for accessing premium export markets.
Major Challenges
- Adulteration: Sugar syrup contamination
- Limited NMR testing infrastructure
- Pesticide and antibiotic residue concerns
- Heavy dependence on the U.S. market
- Low-value bulk exports
- Weak traceability and branding
- Competition from China and premium brands such as New Zealand’s Manuka honey
Way Forward
- Expand NMR-capable laboratories
- Develop cluster-based processing and packaging
- Promote GI-tagged honey
- Strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)
- Diversify into beeswax, propolis and royal jelly
- Strengthen the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission
- Promote domestic honey consumption
- Protect bee health through scientific beekeeping and pesticide management
“[2018, GS3, 15 marks] Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?”
[2023] Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food?
[A] Butterflies
[B] )Dragonflies
[C] Honeybees
[D] Wasps
