Resham Chhantyal Switches from Traditional Sheep Farming to Commercial Beekeeping in Myagdi

Myagdi. Resham Chhantyal of Gurja, Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-1, Myagdi, has abandoned traditional sheep farming for commercial beekeeping.

The 44-year-old Chhantyal, who chose beekeeping as an alternative to sheep farming in nomadic herds, has become self-employed and self-reliant. "Instead of following sheep and goats to the mountains and plains regardless of winter, summer, rain or shine, it is easier for me and my family to keep bees by placing hives around the house," he said. "Currently, there are 80 bee colonies. I produce 300 liters of honey annually at a rate of Rs 2,000 per liter and sell it from home."

Chhantyal's father and grandfather traditionally raised sheep. Resham, who spent a few years in the Gulf countries in search of employment, had been raising sheep in the village for about 15 years. He started beekeeping eight years ago after selling his sheep.

He said that he separated hives from four to five colonies of the local 'Apis cerana' bee at his home and made up to 200 colonies. "I chose beekeeping because honey hunting is done in the jungle, and the climate and weather are favorable," he said. "Since I am knowledgeable about bee behavior, expanding the hives was not a problem."

Chhantyal, who started beekeeping influenced by the statements of agricultural experts on the social media platform 'YouTube', said that he has not yet received training or grants from government or non-governmental organizations. Along with Gurja, he also takes bees to Lachhwang for grazing.

Chhantyal said that there is no problem in selling honey as customers come to his home. During heavy rain and snowfall, when there is a lack of grazing, the bees are fed honey. The surrounding forests and fields are the grazing areas for the bees.

His experience is that managing food for the bees becomes a problem during extreme cold and when flowers do not bloom. Protecting bees from attacks by wild animals such as bears and martens is another challenge. Chhantyal complained that he could not register his firm and get a PAN number by going to the Internal Revenue Office in Baglung due to geographical remoteness.

Ward Chairman of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality-1 Gurja, Jhak Chhantyal, whose area has recently been connected by road network, said that efforts will be made to connect beekeeping farmer Resham and other entrepreneurs, farmers, and businessmen with registration, tax scope, training, and grant facilities by organizing mobile camps.