From fields to flight: How Jagsir Singh turned beekeeping into rural revolution

In a region where small-scale farming often teeters on the edge of survival, one farmer’s quiet revolution is buzzing with promise. Jagsir Singh, once a rice-and-wheat cultivator struggling to make both ends meet, has emerged as a beacon of innovation and resilience — thanks to bees.

Nestled in the modest village of Malke in Moga, Jagsir’s story begins like many others — four acres of land, a few dairy animals, and a relentless cycle of hard work yielding meagre returns. But unlike many, he chose to rewrite the script.

A spark in the soil

“The turning point in my life came not through policy or subsidy, but a casual conversation with a fellow farmer. That chat, followed by a Krishi Vigyan Kendra expert’s talk on modern apiculture, planted a seed of possibility. With my family’s unwavering support, I enrolled in a beekeeping course at Punjab Agricultural University in 2010 —armed not with capital, but with conviction,” he shares.

Starting with just 20 hives, he faced the sting of early setbacks — erratic weather, pest infestations, and the delicate art of colony management. But scientific training gave him the tools to persevere. He mastered seasonal hive care, queen rearing, and sustainable practices that turned his apiary into a model of rural enterprise.

Migratory beekeeping: A game-changer

To further grow his enterprise, Jagsir adopted the practice of migratory beekeeping — transporting his bee colonies to different floral zones across India. “I began moving my hives to Rajasthan from November to February for mustard honey, to Hoshiarpur in June and July for multi-flora honey, and to Hanumangarh in October for ber honey. This strategy allowed me to harvest different varieties of honey throughout the year, boosting both the quantity and quality of my produce,” said Jagsir.

The result — A diverse, high-quality honey portfolio and year-round income. Today, his apiary boasts of 450 hives, producing 135 quintals of honey annually — valued at Rs 13.5 lakh. Beeswax sales further add to his income.

Beyond honey: Building a beekeeping ecosystem

As a registered bee-breeder and hive manufacturer, Jagsir sells over 160 hives each year, mentoring new apiarists and earning an additional Rs 3 lakh. Beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly sales add to his revenue stream, proving that beekeeping isn’t just sweet — it’s smart.

A life transformed

A steady income has reshaped his family’s life. Now, he provides better education for his children, has financial dignity, and a renewed sense of purpose. More than a farmer, Jagsir is now a community resource — training others, advocating for sustainable practices, and showing that prosperity doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment.

A model for the rural India

“In an era of climate uncertainty and agrarian distress, Jagsir Singh’s journey offers a blueprint for rural resilience. His success underscores the power of knowledge, diversification, and grassroots innovation. Beekeeping, once seen as a fringe activity, now stands as a viable, eco-friendly alternative to traditional farming,” say Sandeep Kumar and Kamaldeep Singh Matharu from PAU’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra.

As the hum of Jagsir Singh’s bees fills fields of Malke, it carries a message louder than any slogan — transformation begins with one brave choice.