Economics of beekeeping in Nainital district of Uttaranchal
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Date
2005-06
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Beekeeping may be one of the important subsidiary enterprises for raising income of small and marginal farmers. Thus, in view of low level of farm income and employment in hill agriculture of Nainital district, beekeeping may serve as an important source of generating additional income and utilize surplus family labour. Therefore, studies were needed to investigate economic aspect of beekeeping. The study was conducted in Haldwani and Bhimtal blocks of Nainital district of Uttaranchal with the following specific objectives:
1. To work out costs and returns of beekeeping
2. To study the marketing pattern and marketing channels for honey followed by beekeepers.
3. To determine the minimum economic size of beekeeping unit.
4. To identify the determinant of honey output.
5. To study the constraints in beekeeping and suggest appropriate policies.
The data for fulfilling different objectives were procured from selected beekeepers and various concerned offices (KVIC), Haldwani, Jeolikot Research Station). In total, 50 beekeepers were selected from both the blocks.
The study revealed that cost of raising per hive in Bhimtal block (Rs.1510) was relatively higher compared to Haldwani block (Rs.1268). However, the yield of honey per hive was higher in Bhimtal block (20 kg) compared to Haldwani block (18 kg). The average price received per kg of honey by the producers of Haldwani and Bhimtal blocks were Rs.72 and Rs.67 per kg, rescpectively.Net return from honey was higher in Haldwani block (Rs.15) than Bhimtal block (Rs.4).
There was monopoly of buyers because of presence of only two marketing channels in the study area. Producers were forced to sell their produce at lower price. As far as sale pattern was concerned, in most of the cases producers tried to dispose off their produce instantaneously in the same month due to lack of storage facilities and weak retention power.
15 and 17 bee hives were found minimum economic size of beekeeping units for Haldwani and Bhimtal blocks, respectively. The number of bee hives was found the most important determinant of increasing honey output.
The most important and severe constraints prevailed were marketing of produce and lack of non-availability of suitable market for disposing off the produce, caused the sale of honey at low prices.
Major policy implications emerged from the study are:
i) There is an urgent need for reorganizing the various agencies involved in promotion and development of beekeeping ii)There should be adequate, well qualified technical staff for providing extension facilities, imparting necessary training and for supplying inputs iii)Pathological studies should be conducted to find out measures for preventing diseases iv) There should be competitive market for marketing of honey output. v)Proper transportation and storage facilities and vi)Suitable arrangement from financing institutions should be made to provide the working expenses to the beekeepers.
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