Honey production in Chitwan down this year

CHITWAN, APRIL 20: Honey production in Nepal dropped by 1,070 tons in 2081 BS compared to the previous year, according to the Nepal Beekeepers Federation.

In 2080 BS, total honey production stood at 4,945 tons, which fell to 3,875 tons in 2081. According to Subash Chandra Ghimire, President of the Nepal Beekeepers Federation, the decline is attributed to several factors: unsold honey stock from the previous year, disputes over grazing areas, uncontrolled use of pesticides, rising costs of beekeeping equipment, high transportation expenses, and the proliferation of fake and adulterated honey in the market.

Despite the drop in production, the number of beekeepers has increased. In 2080 BS, 8,100 farmers were involved in beekeeping, which rose to 8,398 in 2081 BS. In particular, the number of farmers rearing domesticated Apis cerana (Serena bees) has grown from 6,135 to 6,830.

Conversely, the number of commercial beekeepers raising Apis mellifera bees has declined—from 1,965 in 2080 BS to 1,568 in 2081 BS.

The Federation also reported that honey stock levels saw a sharp decline. In 2080 BS, 3,143 tons of honey remained unsold, while in 2081, this figure dropped to just 197 tons.