In this blog, V Sailaja explains why integrating beekeeping is essential for transitioning to agroecology and how this can be achieved.
CONTEXT
Every third bite of food we eat depends on pollinators like bees. Yet modern farming, with its dependence on chemicals and monocultures, has pushed these vital creatures into decline. Agroecology, which focuses on working with natural processes rather than against them, offers a way forward. Beekeeping fits seamlessly into this approach. Bees do far more than make honey—they improve crop yields, strengthen biodiversity, and provide farmers with a reliable stream of additional income. For smallholders transitioning away from chemical farming, beekeeping can also ease the initial dip in yields. At the same time, honey and hive products from chemical-free landscapes often attract premium prices in both domestic and export markets.
HOW BEES SUPPORT FARMS AND FARMERS
The most obvious advantage of keeping bees is better pollination. Studies show that the presence of bees can increase yields in crops such as cucurbits, sunflowers, mustard, apples, and mangoes by as much as 20 to 80 per cent. These yield gains are not just about quantity; bee pollination also improves fruit shape, size, and shelf life, all of which translate into higher value at the market. Farmers who introduce hives into their fields often notice fewer malformed fruits in vegetables like cucurbits and solanaceous crops, which makes their produce more attractive to buyers.
Beyond pollination, beekeeping offers important income diversification. Honey, especially when certified organic, is increasingly sought after by health-conscious consumers and export markets. Beeswax, propolis, and royal jelly cater to smaller but lucrative sectors such as natural cosmetics and wellness products. Even pollination services themselves can generate income, as some farmers lease colonies to others who need managed pollination for their crops. This combination of on-farm and off-farm revenue helps reduce risk, particularly in years when weather extremes or pests cause crop failures.
MAKING FARMS BEE-FRIENDLY
Integrating bees into agroecological farming starts with thoughtful farm design. A mix of flowering crops and trees that bloom across different seasons ensures that bees have a continuous supply of nectar and pollen. Hedgerows, wild patches, and intercrops not only provide forage but also shelter beneficial insects, creating a healthier ecosystem around the farm. Clean water sources close to apiaries are essential, especially in hot months when bees need water to cool hives and dilute honey. Equally important is minimising pesticide exposure, which can be achieved by planting buffer zones between apiaries and conventionally managed fields.
Once the farm environment is ready, scientific hive management becomes the cornerstone of sustainable beekeeping. The choice of bee species depends on local conditions: Apis cerana indica is well adapted to Indian ecosystems, while A. mellifera is better suited for commercial-scale honey production. Disease and pest control must follow organic principles, relying on natural extracts, herbal fumigation, and preventive practices rather than synthetic chemicals. Successful apiculture also involves multiplying colonies, practising selective queen breeding, and maintaining healthy stock year-round. For farmers, proper training in handling hives, harvesting honey, and using simple equipment like smokers and extractors can make the difference between stressed colonies and thriving ones.
Cropping systems can also be aligned with bee needs. Rotating legumes and flowering cover crops improve soil fertility while providing nectar sources. Intercropping with plants like mustard or sunflower maintains bee activity throughout the season. Even with organic sprays, timing matters—applications should be avoided during active foraging hours to protect bee health.
BARRIERS THAT HOLD FARMERS BACK
Despite the clear advantages, some challenges make many farmers hesitate to adopt beekeeping.
Vulnerability to pest, disease and predators: Bee colonies are vulnerable to pests, diseases, and predators. Mites such as Varroa destructor, wax moths, and birds can all weaken hives, especially when colonies are small or poorly managed. Without chemical treatments, which are restricted in organic systems, farmers need eco-friendly alternatives and regular monitoring to maintain healthy colonies.
Market Trust: The widespread adulteration of honey erodes consumer confidence and makes it difficult for genuine producers to fetch the premium their products deserve. Smallholder farmers, who often lack access to certified testing and traceable supply chains, are hit the hardest. Building cooperatives and farmer-led quality assurance systems is essential if organic honey is to stand out in the market.
Awareness on the importance of bees: Many farmers still think of bees only as honey producers, overlooking their role as pollinators and ecosystem stabilisers. Limited knowledge of bee biology, seasonal management, and queen rearing often results in low productivity and colony losses. Addressing these gaps requires a community-level approach that involves agricultural departments, universities, and rural development institutions in training and demonstration programs.
POLICY AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT
India has made significant progress in supporting apiculture. The National Beekeeping and Honey Mission, through Integrated Beekeeping Development Centres, offers training, technical assistance, and infrastructure. The National Bee Board promotes quality standards, certification, and market linkages. At the state level, missions like the Sikkim Organic Mission and the Andhra Pradesh Natural Farming Initiative recognise beekeeping as a livelihood activity aligned with eco-friendly agriculture.
Institutional support also comes from the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, which promotes beekeeping under rural employment schemes, and from NABARD, which finances bee-based enterprises. These efforts, along with global models such as the EU’s organic honey regulations and FAO’s pollinator-friendly farming practices, highlight the need for coordinated action that combines training, finance, certification, and market development.
LINKING BEES TO THE BIGGER PICTURE
The benefits of beekeeping extend well beyond individual farms. Managed colonies strengthen biodiversity, support wild flora, and stabilise ecosystems. Beekeeping creates opportunities for women’s groups involved in honey processing and marketing, and for rural youth entering organic value chains. In doing so, it contributes directly to several Sustainable Development Goals, including zero hunger through higher yields, responsible consumption through chemical-free products, climate action through resilient systems, and biodiversity conservation through pollinator protection. Indirectly, it also supports poverty reduction by creating additional income streams in rural areas.
CONCLUSION
Beekeeping should not be seen as an optional add-on to farming. It is a core element of agroecology—one that enriches biodiversity, improves food security, and secures livelihoods. With stronger farmer training, affordable certification, cooperative marketing, and supportive policies, apiculture can transform rural economies while protecting ecosystems.
For farmers, the journey might begin with planting a few bee-friendly crops or starting with a single hive. For policymakers, it means embedding beekeeping explicitly in agricultural development programs. For consumers, it’s about choosing genuine, chemical-free honey and supporting farmer collectives.
Ultimately, bees remind us of the deep connections between nature and nourishment. By keeping them at the heart of agroecology, we build farming systems that feed both people and the planet.
Sailaja V is Assistant Professor (Entomology) and Principal Investigator, Integrated Beekeeping Development Centre, Department of Natural Resource Management & Conservation, Forest College and Research Institute, Mulugu, Siddipet, Telangana, India. She can be reached at email: (sailajavallabuni@gmail.com)
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