National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)

The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) is a Central Sector Scheme designed to advance scientific beekeeping across India and promote the “Sweet Revolution”. Positioned within the framework of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the mission aims to strengthen apiculture through improved infrastructure, technology generation, training, and institutional support. With a total budget outlay of ₹500 crore for the period from FY 2020–21 to FY 2025–26, the mission is implemented by the National Bee Board (NBB), the country’s nodal institution for scientific beekeeping. India’s diverse agro-climatic conditions, combined with the rising global demand for natural honey and other beehive products, provide a strong foundation for the expansion of the beekeeping sector under NBHM.

Background and Rationale

Beekeeping is a vital agro-based enterprise traditionally practised by rural households, small farmers, and landless labourers. Integrated into the broader Integrated Farming System, it complements agriculture by enhancing pollination and improving the productivity of crops such as mustard, sunflower, litchi, and various horticultural species. The activity also produces a wide range of high-value products including beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, pollen, and bee venom. These items contribute significantly to rural income diversification, particularly in resource-constrained regions.
India holds substantial potential in apiculture due to its varied flora and climatic zones, which allow the production of diverse honey types such as Eucalyptus Honey, Lychee Honey, and Rapeseed/Mustard Honey. Recognising the ecological and economic benefits of organised beekeeping, the Government of India launched NBHM to modernise the sector through scientific interventions, training programmes, and market-oriented strategies. The initiative is integral to boosting farmers’ income, supporting agri-startups, and fostering rural entrepreneurship.

Structure and Components of the Mission

The NBHM operates through three structured Mini Missions focusing on key components necessary for the holistic development of the beekeeping sector.
Mini Mission-I: Productivity ImprovementThis mission emphasises crop productivity enhancement through pollination support. It promotes scientific beekeeping, development of quality bee colonies, multiplication of bee stocks by registered breeders, and training of beekeepers. It encourages the adoption of modern beekeeping equipment, disease management practices, and the cultivation of bee-friendly flora.
Mini Mission-II: Post-Harvest Management and InfrastructureThis mission strengthens value-chain development by supporting infrastructure such as honey processing units, packaging facilities, storage and cold storage facilities, custom hiring centres, and disease diagnostic laboratories. It aims to improve quality assurance, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance domestic and international market competitiveness.
Mini Mission-III: Research & Technology DevelopmentThis mission focuses on generating region-specific technologies through research institutions, universities, and specialised centres. Activities include developing improved bee strains, devising modern management practices, studying pests and diseases, and innovation in value-added products. A major highlight is the establishment of a National Centre of Excellence in Beekeeping at IIT Roorkee.

Objectives of the Mission

NBHM lays down a broad range of objectives to promote comprehensive development of the beekeeping ecosystem. Key objectives include:

• Promoting holistic growth of the beekeeping industry to boost income, employment, and crop productivity.
• Developing infrastructure for quality nucleus bee stock, bee breeders, honey processing units, marketing centres, and cold storage systems.
• Establishing state-of-the-art Quality Control Laboratories for testing honey and related products at regional and district levels.
• Developing blockchain-based traceability mechanisms to ensure quality assurance and create a transparent supply chain for honey and other bee products.
• Facilitating the creation of Honey Corridors in high-potential regions.
• Encouraging agri-entrepreneurs, startups, and FPOs to participate in scientific beekeeping and honey production.
• Supporting the empowerment of women through beekeeping-related livelihood initiatives.
• Promoting trade agreements between beekeepers, processors, and exporters to strengthen market linkages.
• Disseminating modern technologies and skills across the beekeeping community.
• Fostering collective institutions such as Self-Help Groups, FPOs, and cooperatives to increase organisational capacity and bargaining power.

Progress and Achievements under NBHM

India has made remarkable progress under NBHM in both production and infrastructure development. In Marketing Year 2024, India produced approximately 1.4 lakh metric tonnes of natural honey, reflecting growing adoption of scientific beekeeping. Export momentum has also significantly increased, with 1.07 lakh metric tonnes of natural honey exported in FY 2023–24, valued at USD 177.52 million.
A variety of infrastructural assets have been sanctioned under the mission:

• 6 world-class Honey Testing Laboratories and 47 Mini Honey Testing Labs
• 6 Disease Diagnostic Laboratories and 8 Custom Hiring Centres
• 26 Honey Processing Units and 12 Beekeeping Equipment Manufacturing Units
• 18 Collection, Branding & Marketing Units
• 10 Packaging and Cold Storage Units

Technology Demonstration Projects now cover 424 hectares, while 288 hectares have been brought under plantations of bee-friendly flora. The mission has also supported 167 women-empowerment activities across various States.
Another major reform includes the imposition of a Minimum Export Price (MEP) of USD 2,000 per metric tonne to curb under-pricing and maintain authenticity in global markets. The Madhukranti portal, designed for online registration and traceability of honey and beehive products, has registered over 14,859 beekeepers and several related organisations.
Under the broader scheme for forming 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations, 100 FPOs specifically for beekeepers and honey producers were allocated to NAFED, NDDB, and TRIFED. By March 2025, 97 FPOs had already been formed, strengthening collective action among producers.

Honey Production and Export Potential

India’s honey export portfolio includes varieties such as Rapeseed/Mustard, Eucalyptus, Lychee, and Sunflower Honey. Key honey-producing States are Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar, and Rajasthan. Exports from India are largely directed to countries such as the United States, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Libya. According to the July 2025 Honey Dashboard prepared by APEDA and Crisil, India is now the second-largest exporter of natural honey globally, rising from ninth position in 2020.

National Bee Board: Mandate and Role

Established in 2000 and reconstituted in 2006, the National Bee Board functions as the central nodal body for the development and promotion of scientific beekeeping in India. It formulates guidelines, monitors implementation, approves projects, and supports research and training initiatives. NBB plays a pivotal role in guiding the NBHM and ensuring sectoral coordination across government departments, research agencies, and private stakeholders.

Implementation Framework across Levels

NBHM employs a multi-tiered governance structure, ensuring coordination and monitoring at national, state, and district levels.

• At the national level, the Mission/Project Management Unit, General Council, Steering Committee, Project Approval & Monitoring Committee, Executive Committee, and Project Appraisal Committee oversee policy direction and project approval.
• At the state level, the State Level Steering Committee supervises implementation and monitoring.
• At the district level, District Level Committees undertake project approvals and coordination.
• Implementing agencies include NDDB, NAFED, KVIC, ICAR, TRIFED, SRLM/NRLM, MSME institutions, State departments, and various member institutions of NBB.

This structured coordination ensures uniform implementation, targeted capacity building, and smooth functioning of field-level activities.

Illustrative Success Stories

Beekeeping has shown transformative impact in several rural regions. In Nongthymmai village of Meghalaya, traditional apiculture has evolved into a commercial activity. A beekeeper, after receiving training from the Umsning Enterprise Facilitation Centre, expanded his colonies and improved packaging, earning up to ₹2 lakh annually. Encouraged by this progress, the community is forming a local beekeepers’ society to organise collective production and marketing.
In Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir, beekeeping has emerged as a major diversification avenue with government support. Provision of colonies at subsidised rates and establishment of a dedicated honey processing and bottling unit under the brand “Kupwara Honey” has enabled local youth to scale up their enterprises. With over 500 farmers engaged in beekeeping, the region now produces more than 480 quintals of organic honey annually, generating around ₹3 crore in turnover. Efforts for Geographical Indication tagging of regional honey varieties are also underway.