More than 2,000 people in the Pokhara Metropolitan area are involved in beekeeping as a business. According to Manhar Kadariya, Head of the Agriculture Development Section of Pokhara Metropolitan City, public interest in beekeeping has been increasing in recent years.
Among the wards within the metropolis, especially Wards 16, 18, 20, 23, 26, 28, 30, and 33 have seen growing attraction toward beekeeping. He stated that around 90 tons of honey are currently produced annually within the metropolitan area, and that this figure is on the rise.
According to him, beekeeping in the area mainly involves the Serena breed of bees. “The demand for honey in the market is increasing, and if it can be produced, there is no problem finding a market to sell it,” he said. “Since this area has strong potential for honey production, it appears to be becoming an important alternative source of income.” He also noted that beekeeping benefits other agricultural production as well.
In recent times, various types of training have been provided from time to time to make beekeeping a more commercial and professional enterprise. Organized by the Annapurna Polytechnic Institute in coordination with the Business Promotion Center of Pokhara Metropolitan City, a 65-day Level 1 Beekeepers’ Training program for local farmers began on Sunday.
Branch Head Kadariya informed that the training was launched at the Lekhnath Dhalepipal Agricultural Service Center in Pokhara Metropolitan City–26. He added that 20 leading farmers from the metropolitan area are participating in the training.
