Why in the News?

The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (2020–21 to 2025–26) is set to conclude this fiscal year.

About National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM):

Overview: A Central Sector Scheme (2020) under Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, promoting scientific beekeeping and driving a “Sweet Revolution” for rural income enhancement.
Implementing Agency: Executed by the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.
Financial Outlay: ₹500 crore for FY 2020–21 to 2025–26.
Core Aim: Boost honey production, pollination-based crop productivity, and farmers’ income through structured beekeeping and processing infrastructure.
Technology & Quality Focus: Promotes traceability, quality assurance, and digital registration via the Madhukranti Portal.
Implementation Structure:

1. Mini Mission–I: Enhances honey and hive product production through scientific beekeeping and pollination.
2. Mini Mission–II: Focuses on post-harvest management, collection, processing, storage, marketing, and value addition.
3. Mini Mission–III: Supports research, innovation, and capacity building for technology-driven solutions.

Institutional Network: Coordinated by NBB, involving NDDB, NAFED, TRIFED, ICAR, KVIC, SRLM/NRLM, and MSME bodies at national and state levels.

Production & Exports: India produced 1.4 lakh MT honey (2024); exported 1.07 lakh MT worth USD 177.55 million (FY 2023–24), rising to 2nd globally from 9th in 2020.
Infrastructure Development: Established 6 world-class labs, 47 mini labs, 6 diagnostic labs, 8 hiring centres, 26 processing units, 18 branding units, and 10 cold storages.
Research Hub: National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping set up at IIT Roorkee for innovation and training.
Empowerment Initiatives: 167 SHG projects, 97 FPOs, 424 ha demonstrations, and 288 ha bee-friendly plantations sanctioned for livelihood diversification.
Digital Integration: Madhukranti Portal hosts 14,859 beekeepers, 269 societies, 206 companies, with blockchain-based traceability for export-grade quality.
Policy Support: Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 2,000/MT (till Dec 2024) set to curb dumping of inferior honey and safeguard domestic producers.