Jumla to maintain honey production data as beekeeping gains popularity

JUMLA: In an effort to strengthen local livelihoods and promote beekeeping, Jumla district is set to maintain systematic records of honey production from the next fiscal year.

The Karnali Beekeeping Cooperative Society Limited announced that it will begin collecting accurate data on honey output across all local levels.

The move follows skill-based training and the distribution of necessary materials to beekeepers in Kanakasundari Rural Municipality-1. Ward Chair Bhim Bahadur Bhandari said that ten farmers, who primarily earn their living through beekeeping, received a five-day training course funded by a ward budget of Rs 100,000.

“These villages are leading in honey production locally,” Bhandari said, adding that the ward will soon be declared a bee pocket area. Currently, there are 504 beehives in the ward.

During the training, participants learned about the opportunities and challenges in beekeeping, along with methods for quality honey processing, labeling, and packaging, according to District Secretary Narayan Chaulagain of the Karnali Beekeeping Cooperative.

Local beekeepers, like Chandra Bahadur Bhandari, emphasized the importance of vocational skills training in achieving self-reliance. The district primarily raises the Serana breed of bees, and beekeeping is steadily attracting farmers across all eight local levels, with over 8,000 beehives currently in the district.

However, beekeepers face significant challenges. Veteran beekeeper Ramkrishna Budhthapa of Kholikot, Chandannath Municipality-2, who expanded from two beehives in 2052 BS to 150 today, noted rising threats from bee diseases, predators, harsh winters, and environmental changes.

Pollinator deaths between June and August, along with pesticide use, habitat loss, lack of equipment and modern techniques, and the impacts of climate change, are contributing to a decline in beehive numbers.

Despite these challenges, beekeepers believe that with timely support and interventions, beekeeping could remain a profitable and sustainable livelihood option in Jumla.