Marking World Bee Day 2026, the Ministry of Cooperation highlighted the growing success of India’s “Sweet Revolution,” stating that cooperative-led scientific beekeeping is emerging as a strong pillar for rural development, employment generation, and agricultural prosperity.
In a message shared on the occasion, the ministry said the integration of cooperation, agriculture, and technology is rapidly transforming India’s beekeeping ecosystem and empowering farmers across the country. The ministry underlined that scientific beekeeping practices promoted through cooperatives are helping strengthen rural livelihoods while contributing significantly to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The ministry noted that the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM), implemented from 2020-21 to 2025-26 with a financial outlay of Rs 500 crore, has played a major role in accelerating honey production and exports.
The mission was launched to promote scientific beekeeping, support infrastructure development, create awareness among farmers, and improve the quality and marketability of honey and other bee-related products.
According to figures shared by the ministry, India produced around 1.4 lakh metric tonnes of honey in 2024, reflecting the steady growth of the sector in recent years. Honey exports also witnessed significant growth, with the country exporting nearly 1.07 lakh metric tonnes during 2023-24.
The total export value of honey stood at approximately 177.55 million dollar, highlighting the increasing global demand for Indian honey products.
The ministry further stated that India has now become the world’s second largest honey exporter, showcasing the success of policy support, farmer participation, and cooperative-driven development models. Officials said the cooperative framework has enabled small and marginal farmers, particularly in rural and tribal areas, to access training, technology, and better market opportunities.
The government believes that beekeeping not only supplements farmers’ income but also supports agricultural productivity through pollination, thereby contributing to sustainable farming practices. The ministry reiterated that continued focus on cooperative-led beekeeping initiatives will help create employment opportunities, enhance exports, and strengthen the rural economy.
Calling the initiative a key step toward the “Sweet Revolution,” the ministry said the sector is steadily becoming an important contributor to India’s agricultural growth story and self-reliance mission.
