Bee Keeping as a Source of Supplementary Income for Improved Livelihoods: A Success Story of ARYA Project in East Champaran

Abstract

Mostly the people of the villages in Mehsi block of East Champaran are engaged in farming and animal husbandry and farm labour. The farmers of this village are also engaged in growing vegetables and spice crops for sale in the nearest markets. Mr Vijay Kumar was not able to maintain his family with farming occupation alone earlier. He earned 2-3 lakhs rupees annually by selling honey and bee colonies in nearby markets and at district level market. He set good example for enabling extra income along with agriculture. He established bee keeping unit in his farm along with agricultural crops. After establishing his venture, he is able to meet the local demand by providing good quality of honey and bee colonies to villagers. Despite earlier challenges like lack of market for his honey and difficulty in managing his colonies during the summer, Mr. Kumar has dramatically changed his life and that of his family through the sale of honey and honeybee colonies