A Comparative Study on Cost Structure and Profitability of Beekeeping in Ramban, Kathua and Jammu Districts of Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir

Agriculture in India has along history dating back to ten thousand years. Today, India ranks second worldwide in farm output and has one of the highest productivity rates. Agriculture was the backbone of the Indian economy and a major source of employment. The share of employment in agriculture was 44.1 percent in 2017-18, increasing to 46.1 percent in 2023-24. India'sagriculture sector contributed 16% to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in financial year 2024-25 and is projected to grow by 3.8% (Ministry of Finance, Government of India, 2025). GDP from agriculture in India increased to 7683.51 INR billion in Q4 of 2024 from 4759.11 INR billion in Q3 of 2024 (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, 2025). The agriculture sector continues to determine India'seconomic standing due to its forward and backward linkages with other sectors (Anandhy and Beula, 2019).

In 2023-24, 46.1% of India'sworkforce was employed in agriculture, according to the Economic Survey and the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS). It is envisioned as one of the four engines of development (the others are MSMEs, investments, and exports) in the Union Budget of 2025-26, aimed at driving sustainable growth and achieving the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by 2047 (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, 2025). Sustainable agriculture in terms of food security, rural employment, and environmentally sustainable technologies such assoil conservation, sustainable natural resource management, and biodiversity protection are essential for holistic rural development (Babuchittimothu and Suresh, 2023). Website: www.ijoear.com Journal DOI: 10.25125/agriculture-journal Beekeeping (or apiculture) is the maintenance of bee colonies, commonly in man-made hives, by humans. It is an agro-based occupation that provides income and employment generation for rural and tribal families. It plays a vital role in the present context of the commercialization of agriculture and liberalization of the economy. Bees are a special gift to mankind due to their pollination services and valued products like honey, beeswax, propolis, bee venom, etc. (Das et al., 2022). Honeybees are responsible for pollinating crops such as apples, berries, melons, almonds, and cocoa (Khalifa et al., 2021). However, beehives face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change. The decrease in bee populations is a major risk to global food production and environmental well-being. Apiculture is dependent on floriculture because bees rely on flowers for nectar and pollen. India'sfloriculture industry has earned the status of a "sunrise industry" with a 100 percent export orientation and high performance (Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, Government of India, 2025). Beekeeping is an enticing, lucrative, and intriguing rural agri-horticulture business that does not require cutting-edge technology, large financial investment, or vast infrastructure.

A beekeeper rears bees to extract honey and other hive products, pollinate crops, and also sell to other beekeepers. Beekeeping provides self-employment for rural and agro-based populations. Beekeeping and the extraction of honey, pollen, beeswax, venom, and royal jelly provide employment to rural educated youths by creating job opportunities in the post-production (collection, processing) and marketing of bee products (Narang, A. et al., 2022). 1.1 Status of Honey Production in the World: In 2024, the FAO reported honey production reached 1,894,000 metric tons. The global honey market size has touched USD 9.40 billion and is expected to grow to USD 15.59 billion by 2032 (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2024). The global honey market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.83% in the forecast period 2023-2029 (Food and Agriculture Organization, 2024). 1.2 Status of Honey Production in India: The India honey market size was worth around USD 305 million in 2023 and is predicted to reach USD 585 million in value by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 7.5% between 2024 and 2032. In financial year 2024-25, India is estimated to have produced approximately 146,000 metric tons of honey with a value of USD 177.52 million in exports (The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, 2024). The honey market is expected to generate US$2.45 billion in revenue and is predicted to grow annually by 5.37% (CAGR 2024-2028) (APEDA, 2024). 12,699 beekeepers are currently registered on the National Bee Board with 19.34 lakh honeybee colonies (National Beekeeping and Honey Mission, Government of India, 2022-2023). More than half of India'shoney production is exported to the USA, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, Canada, and 83 other countries (NBHM, 2022-2023).

To strengthen India’shoney production and export capacity, the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) has released guidelines for beekeepers (Debroy, 2019; NBB, 2020; Chetri et al., 2021). NBHM is a Central Sector Scheme that promotes scientific beekeeping for overall growth of the beekeeping sector to improve agriculture production. It has 3 sub-schemes: Mini Mission I (production and productivity improvement), Mini Mission II (post-harvest management), and Mini Mission III (research and technology generation). Financial assistance is provided as per scheme guidelines. The Covid-19 pandemic witnessed a surge in honey consumption due to its health-inducing properties. The growing health and wellness trends are expected to propel the India honey market growth. Based on flavor, the multiflora honey segment is expected to dominate; based on seasonality, the autumn and spring segment is expected to capture the largest market share; and based on distribution channel, the business-to-consumer segment is expected to garner a significant revenue share. Based on state, Maharashtra is expected to dominate the market. India’sexport of honey increased by 110% between 2013-14 and 2019-20 (NBHM, 2021). In 2023-24, India exported 107,963.21 metric tonnes of natural honey valued at Rs 1,470.84 crore (approx. $177.52 million USD), with the USA, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bangladesh, and Canada being key destinations. Major export varieties include mustard, eucalyptus, lychee, sunflower, pongamia, multi-flora Himalayan, acacia, and wild flora honey.

To boost exports, the Indian government is focusing on upgrading value-added honey products, organic certification authenticity, and ensuring strict guidelines meeting international quality standards. Initiatives are in place to train new beekeepers, upgrade apiculture infrastructure, and invest in innovative research (National Bee Board, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, 2023). Website: www.ijoear.com Journal DOI: 10.25125/agriculture-journal 1.3 Status of Honey Production in Jammu and Kashmir: Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory recorded 146000 quintals of honey production in the year 2023-24, with the Jammu division holding a share of 4425.35 quintals. The total number of beekeepers in the Jammu division was 2471, with 82660 bee colonies. Jammu and Kashmir witnessed a ‘sweet revolution’ through apiculture development schemes launched by the government, such as free-of-cost facilities for processing raw honey and subsidies (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Government of India 2025). Besides developing infrastructure for post-harvest management, packaging, value addition, and marketing, the Jammu and Kashmir government has also launched a Rs 46.65 crore ‘Promotion of Beekeeping’ project. For standardization, small-time keepers are offered honey testing and logo stamping services for better market returns. Processing units help reduce moisture, filter, and bottle honey. New-age agripreneurs are making value additions like soaps, candles, cosmetics, and Ayurvedic medicines. The UTadministration, through its Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and the Department of Agriculture, is imparting technical skills. Two advanced apitherapy centers and GIlabs are established to increase production of high-quality honey. Monitoring and traceability are done through GIlabs, and 20 Custom Hiring Centers (CHCs) are established for extending pollination facilities. The project targets generating additional Rs 475 crore income from by-products and setting up 86 enterprises in five years (Government of Jammu & Kashmir, Department of Information & Public Relations, 2023).