The National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) is a central sector scheme launched by the Government of India in 2020 as part of the AtmaNirbhar Bharat initiative. It was introduced to boost scientific beekeeping, improve honey production, and promote other beehive products like beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, and bee pollen.
The mission aims to achieve a “Sweet Revolution” in India by enhancing agriculture productivity, creating employment opportunities, and empowering women and rural communities.
The mission is implemented by the National Bee Board (NBB) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and has a total budget allocation of ₹500 crore for a three-year period from 2020 to 2023.
Why was NBHM Launched?
Beekeeping, also known as apiculture, plays a crucial role in pollination, which directly influences the yield of fruits, vegetables, pulses, and oilseeds. Over the years, the government recognized that promoting beekeeping could:
- Enhance crop productivity through effective pollination.
- Provide an alternative source of income for farmers, tribal communities, and rural laborers.
- Encourage women empowerment by enabling them to manage beekeeping enterprises.
- Contribute to environmental sustainability and biodiversity maintenance.
- Promote scientific and technologically advanced practices in honey and beehive product production.
What are the Key Objectives of NBHM?
The NBHM is designed with multiple objectives to ensure holistic growth in the beekeeping sector. Some of the main objectives include:
- Promote income & employment
- Develop beekeeping infrastructure
- Ensure honey quality control
- Integrate technology & blockchain
- Create Honey Corridors
- Support entrepreneurs & startups
- Promote research & skill development
- Empower women
- Diversify beehive products
- Strengthen beekeeper collectives
Check Out: Complete List of Important Schemes for NABARD Grade A Exam
How is NBHM Structured?
NBHM operates under three mini missions, each addressing a distinct area of beekeeping development:
| Mini Mission | Focus Area | Key Activities |
| Mini Mission-I: Production & Productivity | Enhance crop yields through scientific beekeeping | – Pollination support for fruits, vegetables, pulses, and oilseeds – Awareness programs for scientific beekeeping – Setting up state-level bee boards and honey missions |
| Mini Mission-II: Post-Harvest Management | Proper collection, storage, processing, and marketing of honey and beehive products | – Establish honey processing plants and cold storage facilities – Branding and marketing support for FPOs and cooperatives – Value addition to honey, beeswax, royal jelly, and propolis |
| Mini Mission-III: Research & Technology | Research and technological development for region-specific requirements | – Skill development in advanced beekeeping techniques – Adoption of IT tools and blockchain for traceability – Scientific research on new bee species and honey production techniques |
Who can Benefit from NBHM?
NBHM is open to all, including:
- Beekeepers and honey producers.
- Farmers and agricultural households.
- Agri-entrepreneurs and startups in apiculture.
- FPOs, cooperatives, and SHGs engaged in beekeeping.
- Women and rural communities seeking livelihood opportunities.
The inclusive nature of the mission ensures that both small-scale and large-scale participants can benefit from training, financial support, and marketing assistance.
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What are the Benefits of NBHM?
The mission brings multiple benefits for farmers, rural communities, and the nation:
- Enhanced Crop Yields: Pollination support improves quantity and quality of fruits, vegetables, and other crops.
- Sustainable Agriculture: Promotes environmentally friendly practices.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Helps maintain ecological balance.
- Income Generation: Provides additional income through honey and beehive product production.
- Employment Opportunities: Creates jobs in rural areas, especially for women and tribal communities.
- Livelihood Security: Beekeeping serves as a stable source of livelihood.
- Technological Advancement: Encourages scientific practices in beekeeping.
- Economic Growth: Supports domestic and export markets for honey and other products.
- Women Empowerment: Provides opportunities for women to actively participate and earn.
- Institutional Strengthening: SHGs, cooperatives, and FPOs strengthen the beekeeping ecosystem.
How does NBHM Integrate Technology?
NBHM has a strong technology-driven approach, including:
- Blockchain Systems: Ensuring traceability of honey and other beehive products from source to market.
- Online Registration Platforms: Through the Madhu Kranti Portal, beekeepers, farmers, and FPOs can register and maintain records digitally.
- Quality Control Labs: Use of modern tools and techniques for testing honey quality and preventing adulteration.
- IT Tools: For data collection, market analysis, and connecting stakeholders across the honey supply chain.
What are Honey Corridors and Honey Corners?
Honey Corridors and Honey Corners are key initiatives under the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) to organize honey production, improve marketing, and ensure quality products reach both domestic and international markets. These initiatives focus on clustering beekeepers, strengthening supply chains, and providing marketing support to farmers and FPOs.
| Initiative | Purpose | Key Activities |
| Honey Corridors | Identify potential areas for organized honey production | – Facilitate supply chain integration – Encourage cluster development of beekeepers – Support efficient collection, processing, and marketing of honey |
| Honey Corners | Special outlets for marketing and sales of honey | – Promote sales of honey and other beehive products – Provide marketing support to FPOs and cooperatives – Expand market reach nationally and internationally |
How is NBHM Linked with Other Government Initiatives?
NBHM works in coordination with various central and state schemes such as:
- Honey Mission by KVIC: Provides bee boxes, live bee colonies, and training to unemployed youth.
- Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): Supports horticulture-based beekeeping.
- SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries): Organizes traditional beekeepers into clusters with modern technologies.
- KVIC, MSME, AYUSH, Tribal Affairs, Commerce & Industry: Support entrepreneurship, skill development, and exports.
Also Check: List of Government Schemes of India
What is the Role of the National Bee Board (NBB)?
The National Bee Board (NBB), established in 2000 under the Small Farmers Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC), is the implementing agency of NBHM. Its responsibilities include:
- Overall development of scientific beekeeping.
- Capacity building, training programs, and seminars.
- Research and development of bee species and honey production techniques.
- Quality assurance and standardization of honey and other bee products.
- Promoting employment opportunities and income generation through apiculture.
The NBB ensures coordination among stakeholders, including farmers, FPOs, cooperatives, and government agencies.
What is the Significance of NBHM?
The mission has far-reaching significance for India’s agriculture, economy, and environment:
- Economic Impact: Boosts income for farmers, women, and rural communities.
- Agricultural Benefits: Improved crop yields through pollination.
- Employment Generation: Job creation in honey production, processing, and marketing.
- Environmental Benefits: Supports biodiversity and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Technological Advancement: Encourages adoption of advanced beekeeping tools and scientific methods.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Key Points |
| Launch | 2020 under AtmaNirbhar Bharat |
| Implementing Agency | National Bee Board (NBB) |
| Controlling Ministry | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| Duration | 2020-2023 |
| Budget | ₹500 crore |
| Mini Missions | MM1 (Production), MM2 (Post-Harvest), MM3 (Research & Technology) |
| Objectives | Holistic growth, infrastructure, technology, women empowerment, economic benefits |
| Benefits | Increased crop yield, income generation, employment, biodiversity, livelihood |
| Technology | Blockchain, IT tools, Madhu Kranti Portal, quality labs |
| Target Beneficiaries | Farmers, beekeepers, FPOs, women, tribal communities, startups |
Questions Based on NBHM
- When was the National Beekeeping & Honey Mission launched?
a) 2018
b) 2019
c) 2020
d) 2021
e) 2022 - Which ministry implements NBHM?
a) Ministry of Food Processing
b) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
c) Ministry of Commerce
d) Ministry of Rural Development
e) Ministry of MSME - What is the total budget allocation for NBHM?
a) ₹100 crore
b) ₹250 crore
c) ₹500 crore
d) ₹750 crore
e) ₹1000 crore - Which is NOT a mini mission under NBHM?
a) Production & Productivity
b) Post-Harvest Management
c) Research & Technology
d) Export Promotion
e) All are mini missions - Which portal is used for beekeeper registration under NBHM?
a) eNAM
b) Madhu Kranti Portal
c) e-Shram
d) NAFED Portal
e) KVIC Portal - Which product is NOT associated with NBHM?
a) Honey
b) Bee Wax
c) Royal Jelly
d) Cotton
e) Propolis - NBHM primarily aims to achieve:
a) White Revolution
b) Blue Revolution
c) Sweet Revolution
d) Green Revolution
e) Yellow Revolution - Which organization is the implementing agency of NBHM?
a) KVIC
b) NAFED
c) National Bee Board (NBB)
d) ICAR
e) SFAC - NBHM promotes women empowerment through:
a) Farming subsidies
b) Beekeeping opportunities
c) Skill development in IT
d) Entrepreneurship in textiles
e) Dairy farming - Honey Corridors aim to:
a) Export honey only
b) Establish organized honey production areas
c) Train farmers in dairy farming
d) Reduce honey prices
e) Promote spices
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Answer Key
| Question No. | Correct Answer |
| 1 | c) 2020 |
| 2 | b) Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare |
| 3 | c) ₹500 crore |
| 4 | d) Export Promotion |
| 5 | b) Madhu Kranti Portal |
| 6 | d) Cotton |
| 7 | c) Sweet Revolution |
| 8 | c) National Bee Board (NBB) |
| 9 | b) Beekeeping opportunities |
| 10 | b) Establish organized honey production areas |
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