South Gujarat Farmers Earn Lakhs as 720 Kaprada Farmers Boost Income with Beekeeping
Kaprada, Valsad: The hilly and remote terrains of Kaprada are witnessing a historic economic transformation as a “Sweet Revolution” takes root among the local tribal community. In a massive shift from traditional labor, over 720 farmers across 25 villages in the Kaprada and Nanapondha regions have successfully integrated Beekeeping (Apiculture) into their agricultural practices. This low-investment, high-yield venture has emerged as a robust alternative income source, empowering farmers to earn lakhs of rupees while simultaneously boosting their crop productivity through natural processes.
On this Wednesday, January 14, 2026, as the region celebrates the harvest festival of Makar Sankranti, the success stories coming out of Kaprada serve as a blueprint for rural prosperity. This transformation has been significantly accelerated by the UTMT (Under The Mango Tree) Society, Dharampur, which provides the necessary scientific training, equipment, and market linkages to ensure that these tribal farmers become self-reliant entrepreneurs.
The Economics Of Honey: How 8 Boxes Are Changing Lives In Kajli Village
The success story of Kalu Gopalbhai Dhinda, a dedicated farmer from Kajli village in Nanapondha taluka, provides a clear picture of the profitability of this venture. Starting with minimal resources, Kalu has established 8 flourishing beekeeping boxes on his farm. The financial breakdown of this “Sweet Business” is highly attractive for small-scale landholders:
- Low Entry Cost: A standard empty wooden hive box costs approximately Rs. 1,200.
- Asset Value: A fully established box populated with a healthy bee colony can be sold for up to Rs. 3,500.
- Passive Rental Income: In a unique business model, farmers rent out their bee-filled boxes to other orchard owners. A single box can fetch a monthly rental of Rs. 1,000. For a farmer with multiple boxes, this creates a steady stream of “sitting income” without extra labor.
- Dual Profit: While the owner gets rent, the host farmer benefits from vastly improved crop yields due to better pollination.
The Science Of Success: Expert Tips For High-Yield Beekeeping
Beekeeping is a delicate art that requires scientific precision. According to Technical Assistant Lakhmabhai (Chandvegan), the success of the 720 Kaprada farmers is rooted in their adherence to strict biological cycles and maintenance schedules.
Critical Management Practices Include:
- Peak Season Management: The primary growth period for bee colonies is from September to January. During these winter months, natural flowering is at its peak, providing ample nectar for the bees.
- Monsoon Survival Strategy: During the rainy season, when flowers are scarce, farmers must provide a “sugar syrup” supplement to keep the colonies alive and healthy.
- Queen Bee Nutrition: The productivity of the entire hive depends on the Queen. If provided with a high-protein diet, she lays more eggs, leading to a rapid expansion of the colony.
- Strategic Night Transport: To avoid losing worker bees, hive boxes are always transported at night. Since all bees return to the hive after sunset, moving the boxes under the cover of darkness ensures the entire colony remains intact.
The Pollination Powerhouse: Boosting Crop Production By 30%
Beyond honey production, bees are the ultimate friends of the farmer. Their role as natural pollinators is more valuable than the honey itself. By visiting thousands of flowers, bees facilitate the Pollination process, which leads to several agricultural benefits:
- Enhanced Seed Quality: Better pollination results in stronger, more viable seeds.
- Flavor and Texture: Fruits and vegetables pollinated by bees often have superior natural taste and aroma.
- Massive Yield Increase: Crops like cotton, oilseeds, vegetables, and fruit orchards (especially Mango and Cashew in Valsad) see a production boost of 20% to 30% due to active bee presence.
More Than Just Honey: Tapping Into Profitable By-Products
The 720 farmers of Kaprada are not just selling honey; they are exploring the entire spectrum of apiculture products, which are in high demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries:
- Pure Forest Honey: Unlike processed sugar-syrup versions, the raw honey from Kaprada fetches a premium price in urban markets.
- Beeswax: Used extensively in making candles, lip balms, and skin creams.
- Bee Pollen: Highly sought after as a superfood and energy-boosting supplement.
With the support of the government’s “Atmanirbhar” initiatives and the UTMT Society’s guidance, beekeeping has turned the rugged landscape of Kaprada into a thriving “Sweet Zone.” For farmers with small landholdings, placing these boxes on the borders of their fields (Shedho) has become the most effective way to secure their financial future.
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This article is published on OurVapi.com The information presented is based on public sources, local inputs, field observations, and the author’s independent assessment. It is intended to be useful primarily for readers from Vapi, Valsad, Umbergaon, Sarigam, Bhilad, Silvassa, Daman, and nearby regions.
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