SRINAGAR: As autumn takes hold in Kashmir, 28-year-old Mudasir Ahmad Khan is gearing up to depart for Jammu, from where he will continue his journey to Rajasthan. Khan will establish a camp in Rajasthan, accompanied by his colonies of honey bees. It has become an annual routine for him to spend the winter months in the desert state, ensuring a continuous harvest of honey.
“It becomes too cold for honey bees to survive in Kashmir during winter. So, every October, I head to Jammu and then onward to Rajasthan,” he explained.
Khan is not alone in this migration; numerous beekeepers from Kashmir make Rajasthan their winter destination, enabling them to sustain honey production year-round.
Traditionally a hub for honey production, Kashmir faces severe winter weather conditions that pose significant challenges to beekeeping.
In contrast, Rajasthan enjoys milder winters and a diverse range of flowering plants, providing an ideal environment for beekeepers to maintain their trade throughout the year.
Khan stated that beekeepers travel in groups to Rajasthan to expand their bee colonies.
“Rajasthan’s warmer winters and abundant flowering plants have transformed our beekeeping experience. Now, our bees remain active, allowing us to maintain a consistent honey production throughout the year,” he noted.
According to beekeepers, Rajasthan’s varied landscape offers natural advantages to visiting beekeepers.
“The state’s flowering crops, including mustard, sunflower, and various indigenous desert flora, provide a rich source of nectar for bees even during the winter months. This continuous nectar supply ensures active bees and steady honey production,” said Bashir Ahmad Bhat, another beekeeper.
This seasonal migration has proven beneficial in boosting the beekeepers’ annual honey production.
“During our stay in Rajasthan, we can harvest an additional 200 kilograms of honey,” Bhat added.
The Department of Agriculture recognises the potential for promoting beekeeping in Kashmir and has initiated various programs to provide visiting beekeepers with training and support. This includes access to modern beekeeping technology and techniques.
Currently, Jammu and Kashmir produce 22,000 quintals of honey annually, with a significant portion being exported to various states and countries.
This year, the Jammu and Kashmir government launched a Rs 46.65 crore ‘Promotion of Beekeeping’ project aimed at increasing annual honey production to 66,100 quintals. (KNO)
