Beekeeping becomes a profitable business for Hamal

Kailali, Dec 15: Binod Hamal, a leading beekeeper from Madannagar of Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City-6 in Dang district has established himself as a trendsetter in the beekeeping business in the western part of the country.

Besides doing the transaction of millions of rupees from beekeeping, Hamal is an inspirational figure to the community people in the neighbouring districts as well.

Starting beekeeping business in late 1990s, hundreds of youths have opted for beekeeping by being inspired and trained from Hamal.

Hamal shared that nearly 500 youths in Dang district are engaged in beekeeping at present.

"We were very few people in beekeeping in the early days. Now, the number of beekeepers has reached 500 only in Dang district. Attraction of youths has increased to beekeeping since it is a profitable business even from the limited investment," Hamal shared.

"Beekeeping has flourished also due to good weather for bees. Good yield of mustard and maize also contribute to beekeeping because the flowers of mustard and maize are very beneficial for grazing bees," Hamal mentioned.

Hamal has employed 15 individuals directly by establishing a company for beekeeping while hundreds of other people are employed indirectly.

He produces nearly 100,000 kgs of honey in a year and sells at Rs 500 per kg. "Rs 500 per kg is a minimum rate. The rate of honey depends on the source of flowers," he said.

Hamal travels from Dang to Kailali districts along with his bees for grazing and has arrived at Bhajani Municipality in Kailali district. He has kept some 500 beehives in the mustard farms of Kailali and Bardiya districts for their grazing.

He shared that dozens of beekeepers flock to the districts of Tarai including Kailali to graze their bees in the mustard flowers. A large number of beekeepers visit the districts of Kailali, Bardiya, Banke and Dang along with the beehives to graze their bees.

According to Hamal, there is no problem for the honeybee farmers to sell the production. "We don’t have to go for foreign jobs for money. Beekeeping is profitable here," Hamal shared.