Ramhama, a village in Budgam district of central Kashmir, has earned the title of “Honey Village” for its rising prominence in beekeeping and honey manufacturing. Whereas rural Kashmir continues to rely largely on agriculture and horticulture — the spine of its economic system — apiculture is rising as a promising sector with the potential to considerably contribute to the native economic system and create sustainable employment alternatives for the area’s rising variety of unemployed youth.
For a lot of native individuals, it has turn out to be a helpful supplementary supply of livelihood.
One of the crucial inspiring success tales from Ramhama is that of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, who began beekeeping in 2010 with simply 10 bee bins. Initially, he struggled to make an honest dwelling. Nonetheless, after receiving formal coaching from the Agriculture Division in 2015, his fortunes modified. Mir now produces between 7,000 and eight,000 kilograms of honey yearly and employs greater than 30 individuals. “I urge kids to take up apiculture — it’s a very worthwhile sector,” Mir advised The Hindu“I produce high-quality acacia honey that’s equipped to a number of States throughout the nation.” He provides that if native beekeepers had entry to extra superior know-how, resembling that utilized in the US, the apiculture sector in Budgam and close by districts could possibly be remodeled.
A number of beekeepers within the space have now come collectively to kind a cooperative to strengthen their collective efforts.
Although the federal government has offered technical coaching, tools, and mentoring to assist beekeepers enhance hive administration, honey extraction, and high quality management, a lot stays to be executed to make sure that these initiatives attain extra aspiring entrepreneurs. Authorities should additionally concentrate on bettering market entry, sustaining honey high quality, addressing climate challenges, and facilitating entry to capital for scaling up operations.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Candy deal with: A bee lands delicately on an almond flower in Srinagar. As bees transfer from tree to tree, they pollinate almond blossoms, in a symbiotic relationship.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Recent begin: A honeybee collects nectar from lavender blossoms in Anantnag district.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Coronary heart of hive: The ‘queen bee (centre) surrounded by employee bees on a hive body.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Regular arms: Farmers work on a honey farm at Rambama village
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Bee within the bonnet: A farmer in protecting gear to flee from bee stings.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Meticulous work: Farmers checking the bee bins; for a lot of in Ramhama, apiculture has turn out to be a helpful supply of livelihood.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Busy swarm: Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a 35-year-old beekeeper, reveals a bee hive body.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Instruments of the commerce: Mushtaq Ahmad Mir inspects a honeycomb. Beekeepers use frames, that are constructions that maintain the honeycomb.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Golden drip: After harvest, farmers filter honey right into a container.
Photograph: Imran Nissar
Joint initiative: A number of beekeepers within the area have now come collectively to kind a cooperative to strengthen their collective efforts.
Revealed – October 12, 2025 10:13 am IST