BEEKEEPING FOR SMALL TIME FARMERS:In India, the farmers are basically dependent on cash crops for their livelihood, but, as the agricultural land is diminishing due to urbanization and industrialization, number of problems is being faced by farmers. There is a pressure to sustain his family on meager amount he earns. Thus, many farmers are suffering from poverty. Also, natural calamities like drought or flood and low crop yield have led to poor living conditions for farmers. There is need for additional occupations such as apiculture for increasing income especially for farmers who have less and unproductive land. Although beekeeping in India is prevalent since the dawn of civilization, it has been significantly ignored over the time .Now as the market for honey is growing apiculture proves to be a successful alternate for farming. Farmers from States like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, Kerela, and Tamilnadu have adopted beekeeping and owe a major share in honey production. But in small villages and tribal areas, it is still neglected. By enhancing awareness about this profession not only farmer’s condition can be improved, but also, overall financial development of our country is possible. Beekeeping is for sure, a lucrative alternate for generating sustainable income for Indian farmers.
