Chitwan, September 16
With more than 30,000 beehives, Chitwan produces 800 metric tons of honey annually. However, 500 metric tons of this honey remains unsold, forcing farmers to store it in their homes.
“It’s time to harvest honey again, but farmers are worried because the previously harvested honey has not yet been sold,” said Shiv Prasad Sharma Paudel, outgoing president of the Nepal Beekeepers Federation.
The government halted honey imports last May, making it easier for beekeepers. However, farmers now face potential challenges as traders push to have the ban lifted. “If Nepal’s honey production does not meet market demand, imports may be necessary. But it’s important to impose a 60 per cent customs duty on honey imported from abroad,” Paudel said.
Meanwhile, with support from the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Project, efforts have been made to brand honey produced in Chitwan to boost sales. Honey produced by Paudel, a beekeeper in Kalika Municipality, has been branded and brought to market.
Paudel, who produces six metric tons of honey annually, said he has begun selling branded honey in shops in the Kalika-6 market, East Chitwan. He noted that as selling honey has become difficult, various efforts, including branding, are being made to capitalize on the current ban on honey imports.
