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From Garments Business To Becoming Full-Time Honey Farmer, This 45-YO Odisha Man Is Earning Around ₹5 Lakhs/Year
- Bijay Kumar from Odisha, after taking beekeeping training, became a full-time beekeeper, earning around ₹5-6 lakhs annually from his Minibala Beekeeping Production Unit.
- Starting with a garments business, Bijay ventured into bee farming, investing Rs. 2 lakhs initially and later around Rs. 20 lakhs in the honey business.
- He emphasized the importance of practice in beekeeping to learn and improve, mentioning the need for proper training and caution in handling bees.
- Bijay sells honey directly to government-owned Khadi and NGOs, rents bee boxes to local farmers for cross-pollination, and provides training and support to new beekeepers.
- He highlighted the seasonal variations in honey production based on the plants around the bee boxes and the need for protective gear while harvesting honey.
- Bijay shared that honey farming requires careful handling of bees, with masks, gloves, and smoke sprayers for protection against bee stings.
- Honey can be harvested 2-3 times a year, and honey farmers feed bees with artificial food when nectar is scarce to ensure bee health.
- The beekeeping business is profitable if one invests in training and resources; Bijay recommended an investment of around Rs. 8 lakhs for a new farmer to start with 100 production boxes.
- Bijay's success story showcases the potential of beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood option, offering insights into the beekeeping industry and its profitability.
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