Though Bharatpur, the eastern gate of Rajasthan, is known for yellow mustard fields and oil production, the extensive sowing of mustard crops has helped in the expansion of apiculture in the district. The annual honey production in Bharatpur district has touched a figure of 1,250 tonnes.
The Lupin Human Welfare and Research Foundation has been helping out local youth in taking up the vocation for the last four years. According to the foundation’s Sitaram Gupta, about 2,000 youth have been associated with the beekeeping in the district. “Beekeeping has provided an alternative employment to the locals, mainly to small and marginal farmers and landless workers. It has also brought about a significant improvement in their economic condition,” says Mr Gupta.
In recent years, beekeeping has emerged as an alternative livelihood for the rural populace and it helped in change the face of rural economy. According to the foundation, the beekeeping is an agriculture-based activity and requires low inputs where as yield is high in terms of profit. The foundation trained and helped the local youth in beekeeping.
“We have trained youth in preparing bee boxes and extracting honey and also provided technical assistance to them.
Honey production has emerged as a viable livelihood venture in a large number of villages in the district, says an official with the foundation.