KATHMANDU, MAY 21
Honey production in Chitwan has declined by more than 16 percent this year compared to last year, according to the Beekeeping Development Centre, Bhandara.
Centre chief Sujan Amgain said the district produced 450 metric tonnes of honey this year, down from 540 metric tonnes last year. Around 450 commercial farmers are operating more than 17,500 beehives in the district.
Unseasonal rainfall has been blamed for the decline, as it affected mustard and chiuri production, key sources for honey collection. Amgain said only around 30 percent of beekeepers were able to harvest honey from mustard and chiuri areas this year, compared to the usual 70 percent.
Farmers generally harvest honey three times from mustard fields and five times from chiuri forest areas, but production dropped significantly this season due to adverse weather conditions.
(With inputs from RSS)