Rajasthan become winter destination for Kashmiri beekeepers
Srinagar: At a time when autumn has set its foot in Kashmir, a 28- year-old Mudasir Ahmad Khan is preparing to leave for Jammu where he will proceed for Rajasthan.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Khan will camp in Rajasthan along with his colonies of honey bees. It has become a routine for him to spend winter months in the desert state to continue harvesting honey during the winter months.
“It will be cold during winter in Kashmir and honey bees can’t survive at such a low temperature. Every year in the month of October, I leave for Jammu and then finally to Rajasthan,” he said.
Not just Khan, scores of the beekeepers from Kashmir make this state as their winter destination to continue honey trade throughout the year.
Every year hundreds of the beekeepers leave the union territory with thousands of colonies of bees to produce organic honey during winter months.
Kashmir, which has traditionally been a hub for honey production, faces extreme weather conditions during the winter months, making beekeeping a challenging endeavor.
In contrast, Rajasthan boasts milder winters and a diverse range of flowering plants, providing beekeepers with the perfect environment to continue their trade throughout the year.
Khan said that beekeepers leave in groups to Rajasthan to grow their colonies of bees.
“Rajasthan’s warmer winters and an abundance of blooming flowers have transformed our experience. Now, our bees remain active, and we can maintain consistent honey production throughout the year,” he said.
As per the beekeepers Rajasthan’s diverse landscape provides a natural advantage to these visiting beekeepers.
“The state’s flowering crops, such as mustard, sunflower, and various indigenous desert flora, offer a rich source of nectar for bees even during the winter months. This continuous supply of nectar ensures that the bees remain active and honey production remains steady,” Bashir Ahmad Bhat, another beekeeper.
The seasonal migration is proving beneficial for the beekeepers in enhancing their annual honey production.
“We are able to harvest an extra 200 kilograms of honey during our stay in Rajasthan,” Bhat said.
The Department of Agriculture has recognized the potential for promoting beekeeping in Kashmir. They have initiated several programs to provide visiting beekeepers with training and support, including access to modern beekeeping technology and techniques.
Currently, Jammu and Kashmir is producing 22000 quintals of honey annually. A major proportion of honey is exported to different states and countries.
Jammu and Kashmir government this year launched an Rs 46.65 crore `Promotion of Beekeeping’ project to increase the annual honey production to 66100 quintals.