Punjab ranks third in honey production in India

Punjab has secured the third position in honey production in India, a notable achievement for a state that accounts for just 1.5 per cent of the country’s geographical area.

With the state government stressing diversification and subsidiary occupations to strengthen rural income, beekeeping has emerged as a key avenue. Apiculture is not limited to honey production alone. It also supports allied products such as beeswax, royal jelly, propolis and bee pollen, all of which have significant commercial and nutritional value.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Punjab produces 21,100 tonne honey annually, accounting for 14.07 per cent of India’s total production of 1.5 lakh tonnes. The performance underlines the state’s focus on agricultural innovation and diversification.

Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana, which played a central role in the Green Revolution, has been instrumental in the growth of apiculture.

In the 1960s, PAU introduced Apis mellifera, a high-yielding honeybee species. After extensive research, the species was distributed to farmers in 1976. The model was later adopted across the country, giving a major boost to India’s honey industry.

Experts say beekeeping has evolved into a source of entrepreneurship and employment for farmers, unemployed youth and women. Allied activities such as equipment manufacturing, packaging and transportation have also expanded, generating additional economic activity.

“Beekeeping is more than honey, it is an ecosystem of opportunities,” said Dr Jaspal Singh, Principal Entomologist at PAU.

PAU has standardised technologies for queen bee rearing, bee venom collection, royal jelly production, pollen substitutes and disease management. Emphasising colony health, the university supplies quality queen bees to beekeepers in Punjab and neighbouring states.

“Our focus is on sustaining healthy colonies and empowering beekeepers with modern practices,” said Dr Manmeet Brar Bhullar, Head, Department of Entomology, PAU.

Through a three-tier outreach programme, PAU conducts basic training for beginners, advanced courses for progressive beekeepers and specialised workshops for extension personnel. Monthly workshops keep farmers updated on new techniques.

Honey is valued not only for its nutritional benefits, but also for its role in crop pollination, which significantly enhances agricultural productivity.