National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)

✦Key Features

• India jumped from 9th to 2nd largest honey exporter globally (2020 to 2024)
• 1.4 lakh MT honey production (2024); budget ₹500 crore (2020-23)
• Sweet Revolution: named initiative like Blue/White/Green Revolution
• 3 Mini Missions: production, post-harvest management, R&D
• Bee pollination increases crop yields 20-30% (free ecosystem service)
• Madhukranti portal for traceability of honey from hive to market
• National Bee Board (NBB) implements; GI tagging of varieties (Aravalli, Kashmir, Nilgiri honey)

✓Eligibility Criteria

• Individual beekeepers, honey producers, and rural youth interested in apiculture.
• Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) and Beekeepers' Cooperatives.
• Public and private sector agencies involved in honey processing and value chain development.
• Implementing agencies registered with the National Bee Board (NBB).

★Benefits

• Subsidies for procurement of bee colonies, hives, and beekeeping equipment.
• Financial support for the establishment of honey testing labs and collection centers.
• Access to scientific beekeeping training and capacity building workshops.
• Enhanced market linkages and support for branding and export of honey products.

▶Application Process

• Register as a member or beekeeper on the National Bee Board (NBB) online portal.
• Submit an application for financial assistance through the State Horticulture Department or NBB.
• Provide a detailed project proposal for setting up apiaries or honey processing units.
• Submit the project for technical evaluation and approval by the state-level committee.

₹ Budget Allocation

500

Funding Ratio (Centre:State): 100% Central Government funding (Central Sector Scheme).

Historical Context

Announced as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan in 2020 with an outlay of ₹500 crore to promote scientific beekeeping.