Patna: Beekeeping and honey production are emerging as important sources of livelihood and economic empowerment for rural women in Bihar. With support from the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), popularly known as JEEViKA, women are building sustainable income opportunities through honey production, marketing and collective entrepreneurship.
A notable example of this initiative is the Madhugram Mahila Producer Company Limited in Vaishali district, which has recorded a cumulative business turnover of approximately ₹5.4 crore. The company demonstrates how financial assistance, collective participation and access to organised markets can help rural women become economically self-reliant.
JEEViKA Provides Initial Financial Support of ₹71.47 Lakh
Established on October 14, 2020, Madhugram Mahila Producer Company Limited received initial financial assistance of ₹71.47 lakh from JEEViKA. The support played a key role in organising beekeeping, honey production and commercial marketing activities.
The company now has 675 women shareholders from Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, East Champaran, Bhagalpur and Samastipur districts. Their collective efforts have helped establish a women-led enterprise focused on production, business development and economic independence.
The company has also been earning profits consistently since the financial year 2022-23, reflecting the development of a sustainable business model for women engaged in beekeeping and honey production.
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Beekeeping Creates Livelihood Opportunities for 11,855 JEEViKA Women
The initiative has provided livelihood opportunities to 11,855 JEEViKA women across Bihar through beekeeping and honey production. The activity is encouraging self-employment in rural areas while creating additional sources of income for women and their families.
Beekeeping allows women to produce and sell honey locally according to their needs. Connecting producers with organised marketing networks also helps them reach a wider customer base and expand their businesses.
Beyond honey production, the initiative is helping women develop business skills, leadership abilities and experience in managing collective enterprises. It is also contributing to their confidence and participation in household and economic decision-making.
Madhugram Expands Honey Sales Through Retail and Digital Platforms
Madhugram Mahila Producer Company Limited is using multiple marketing channels to bring honey and other food products made by JEEViKA women to consumers.
The company’s products reach markets through the following channels:
- Bihar Saras Mela: A platform for promoting products made by women and rural entrepreneurs.
- Khadi Mall: An additional retail channel for product sales.
- Retail shops: Helping products reach local consumers.
- Wholesale buyers: Enabling sales through bulk purchasing channels.
- Digital platforms: The company is expanding its reach through shop.brlps.in and IndiaMART.
These marketing channels are helping women producers improve product visibility, connect with more buyers and expand their commercial activities. Wider market access is also providing opportunities to strengthen their understanding of business operations and collective enterprise management.
Government Focuses on Training, Technology and Market Access
The Rural Development Department’s broader objective is to provide women with sustainable livelihood opportunities and connect them with the complete value chain, including production, processing, packaging and marketing.
Through training, technical assistance and improved market access, beekeeping is being developed as an important income-generating activity for rural households. The approach aims to help women move beyond small-scale livelihood activities and build enterprises that can contribute to the rural economy.
Access to modern training, improved technology, financial assistance and wider markets is expected to support the growth of women-led businesses and improve the commercial reach of their products.
Shravan Kumar Highlights Women’s Economic Empowerment
Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar highlighted the role of JEEViKA in organising rural women, strengthening their economic position and creating new livelihood opportunities in villages.
He said the establishment of JEEViKA under the leadership of former Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was a forward-looking initiative aimed at empowering women economically. Activities such as beekeeping and honey production are taking this effort further by providing women with opportunities to earn income and build businesses.
Kumar said the government is working to provide JEEViKA women with modern training, advanced technology, better financial support and wider market access so that their products can gain recognition at national and international levels.
He added that the government’s objective is not limited to helping rural women earn a livelihood. It also aims to enable them to become successful entrepreneurs who contribute to their families, communities and Bihar’s economy.
About JEEViKA
The Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS), known as JEEViKA, works under the Rural Development Department of the Bihar government to promote rural livelihoods and women’s economic empowerment. Its initiatives support women’s collectives, livelihood activities, entrepreneurship and access to markets, helping rural households develop sustainable income opportunities.
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