Ramhama, a village in Budgam district of central Kashmir, has earned the title of “Honey Village” for its growing prominence in beekeeping and honey production. While rural Kashmir continues to rely largely on agriculture and horticulture — the backbone of its economy — apiculture is emerging as a promising sector with the potential to significantly contribute to the local economy and create sustainable employment opportunities for the region’s growing number of unemployed youth.
For many local people, it has become a valuable supplementary source of livelihood.
One of the most inspiring success stories from Ramhama is that of Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, who began beekeeping in 2010 with just 10 bee boxes. Initially, he struggled to make a decent living. However, after receiving formal training from the Agriculture Department in 2015, his fortunes changed. Mir now produces between 7,000 and 8,000 kilograms of honey annually and employs more than 30 people. “I urge youngsters to take up apiculture — it is a very profitable sector,” Mir told The Hindu. “I produce high-quality acacia honey that is supplied to several States across the country.” He adds that if local beekeepers had access to more advanced technology, such as that used in the United States, the apiculture sector in Budgam and nearby districts could be transformed.
Several beekeepers in the area have now come together to form a cooperative to strengthen their collective efforts.
Though the government has provided technical training, equipment, and mentoring to help beekeepers improve hive management, honey extraction, and quality control, much remains to be done to ensure that these initiatives reach more aspiring entrepreneurs. Authorities must also focus on improving market access, maintaining honey quality, addressing weather challenges, and facilitating access to capital for scaling up operations.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Sweet treat: A bee lands delicately on an almond flower in Srinagar. As bees move from tree to tree, they pollinate almond blossoms, in a symbiotic relationship.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Fresh start: A honeybee collects nectar from lavender blossoms in Anantnag district.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Heart of hive: The ‘queen bee (centre) surrounded by worker bees on a hive frame.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Steady hands: Farmers work on a honey farm at Rambama village
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Bee in the bonnet: A farmer in protective gear to escape from bee stings.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Meticulous work: Farmers checking the bee boxes; for many in Ramhama, apiculture has become a valuable source of livelihood.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Busy swarm: Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, a 35-year-old beekeeper, shows a bee hive frame.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Tools of the trade: Mushtaq Ahmad Mir inspects a honeycomb. Beekeepers use frames, which are structures that hold the honeycomb.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Golden drip: After harvest, farmers filter honey into a container.
Photo:
Imran Nissar
Joint initiative: Several beekeepers in the region have now come together to form a cooperative to strengthen their collective efforts.
Published – October 12, 2025 10:13 am IST
