Hope for honey production worth Tk 100 crore if the weather favorable
Dinajpur Correspondent:
In Dinajpur, one of the agricultural districts of the northern region, the rural areas are filled with the fragrance of litchi buds. Focusing on this season, beekeepers from various districts of the country – Sirajganj, Satkhira, Rajshahi, Pabna and Natore – have installed about 2,000 bee boxes in various litchi gardens in the district. Those concerned hope that if the weather is favorable, honey production worth about Tk 100 crore is possible from here this season.
According to the district agriculture department sources, rows of bee boxes are now visible across litchi gardens in various areas including Mashimpur in Dinajpur Sadar, Madhabati in Birol Upazila, Sanka in Khansamar and Gopalganj village in Birganj Upazila. Beekeepers are collecting honey using modern and scientific methods, which is playing a helpful role in increasing production.
Farmers said that in general, it is considered appropriate to install one beehive for every 10 litchi trees. In favorable conditions, a significant amount of honey can be extracted from one beehive in a short time. Currently, litchi flower honey is being sold at Tk 12,500 to Tk 14,000 per maund in the wholesale market.
Beekeeping experts believe that about 5 to 6 thousand metric tons of honey can be produced in the district this year. This will have a positive impact on the local economy and create new employment opportunities. Many educated youth are already interested in this profitable sector. Mosaddek Hossain, a farmer from the Mashimpur area of ​​Dinajpur Sadar, has already set a precedent of success in beekeeping.
Meanwhile, the taste, aroma and quality characteristics of litchi flower honey in Dinajpur are different from honey from other regions of the country. For this reason, experts believe that it has the potential to be recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product.
Haji Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University Chemistry Department Professor Dr. Md. Atiqul Islam said that research is underway on the nutritional and medicinal properties of litchi flower honey. He said that if proper government sponsorship and international standards are ensured, this honey can make an important contribution to the country’s economy as an exportable product in the future. However, beekeepers expressed concern that if storms, hailstorms or adverse weather conditions occur during the season, litchi buds may fall, negatively affecting production. They demanded modern technical assistance, training and easy-to-use credit facilities for the sustainable development of this sector.
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