The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), a Central Sector Scheme through the National Bee Board. The mission aims to promote scientific beekeeping for holistic growth of the beekeeping industry, increasing production of honey and beehive products, while generating income and employment opportunities. The scheme provides livelihood support to farm and non-farm households and emphasizes women empowerment through beekeeping activities.
Under NBHM, project-based assistance is provided to eligible Implementing Agencies forwarded by Central/State Nodal Agencies for various activities including setting up of Integrated Beekeeping Development Centers, honey testing laboratories, bee disease diagnostic labs, and Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres. The mission also supports capacity building, technology demonstration, marketing, branding, value addition, and Research & Development initiatives.
Significant infrastructure has been established under the mission, including 7 world-class honey testing laboratories, 66 mini laboratories to check adulteration, 83 honey processing units, and 90 collection, branding & packaging units to support efficient storage and marketing. Additionally, 81 Quality Nucleus Stock Development Centres have been supported for producing quality queen bees and colony multiplication.
The program has demonstrated substantial results, with honey production increasing from 80,530 metric tonnes in 2014-15 to 1,51,690 metric tonnes according to the Horticulture Crops Statistics (2nd Advance Estimates 2025-26) for 2025-26. NBHM supplements the efforts of State Governments, Implementing Agencies, and stakeholder organizations to increase honey production and enhance agricultural productivity through a project-based approach.