CHITWAN: Honey production in Chitwan District has declined this year by 16.66 percent compared to the previous year, according to beekeeping officials.
The Beekeeping Development Center reported that the district produced 450 metric tons of honey this year, down from 540 metric tons last year. Center chief Sujan Angai said around 17,500 beehives are currently being managed in the district.
Officials attributed the decline mainly to unseasonal rainfall, which affected flowering and reduced nectar availability. Angai said the production of key nectar sources such as mustard and chiuri was significantly impacted.
As a result, farmers who previously harvested honey up to three times from mustard fields were able to harvest only twice this year, while ‘chiuri’ harvesting dropped from five cycles to three.
He added that although the number of beehives has increased, overall output has fallen due to unfavorable weather conditions.
According to the center, around 70 percent of beekeepers were previously able to harvest honey up to six times a year, but this year only about 30 percent achieved similar output.
There are around 450 professional beekeepers in the district. Officials said that about 80 percent of honey production comes from mustard and honeydew sources, while the remaining 20 percent is produced from flowers such as ‘rudilo’, buckwheat (phapar), ‘padke’, and litchi.
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