Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday announced that honey will now be brought under the ambit of the Bhavantar Bharpai Yojana, on the lines of horticulture crops, to benefit farmers engaged in beekeeping.
Speaking at a state-level workshop on beekeeping in Kurukshetra, the Chief Minister said that arrangements would be made for the sale of honey at the Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre in Ramnagar, Kurukshetra, where facilities for storage and quality testing will also be provided. A Quality Control Laboratory worth ₹20 crore will be established soon.
Saini further announced plans to develop the Ramnagar Institute into a national-level research institute dedicated to advanced and scientific studies in beekeeping.
Highlighting the government’s focus on the “Sweet Revolution” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saini said beekeeping not only provides additional income to farmers but also enhances crop productivity.
Honey Production Target by 2030
The CM said that Haryana aims to produce 15,500 metric tonnes of honey by 2030 under the state’s “Beekeeping Policy – 2021.” So far, the Honey Trade Centre at Ramnagar has distributed 74,000 bee boxes and 3,43,000 comb sheets. Subsidies of up to 85% are being provided on bee boxes, colonies, and related equipment.
He added that the state’s horticulture area has expanded from 1.17 lakh acres in 2014 to 2.60 lakh acres, making horticulture and allied sectors key pillars of agricultural diversification.
Encouraging the youth and women to take up beekeeping as startups, the CM urged them to launch honey brands and market products globally through online platforms, assuring financial support and technical guidance from the government.
Focus on Farmers’ Income
Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana, who was also present, said that raising farmers’ income remains the government’s top priority. He stressed that strengthening allied sectors such as dairy, animal husbandry, fisheries, and beekeeping is vital to boosting the rural economy.
“No country can be stopped from progressing if its agriculture sector is strong, supported by science and robust systems,” Rana said.
