Jamalpur, January 1: Rows of mustard fields in Jamalpur are now covered with eye-catching yellow flowers. The procession of yellow flowers has covered the entire field with a yellow carpet. The rural township has become charming. Along with the beautiful decoration of nature, professional beekeepers have been busy collecting honey.
Entrepreneurs from different parts of the country are considering honey collection as a potential as well as a profitable profession.
The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said that beekeeping is gradually increasing in the district located in the north-central part of the country due to the high demand for honey and decent profits.
Sources in the Department of Agricultural Extension said that the local area has taken on an eye-catching and soothing yellow color in the district till December 30 and along with this, honey collectors have already collected 10,530 kilograms of honey from the mustard fields.
Honey collectors set up 7,287 beehives to collect honey from mustard fields this season, which is used for honey production, crop pollination and other purposes.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension, farmers in the district are cultivating mustard on 41,550 hectares of land this season, but honey is being collected from 4,615 hectares of land.
The Department of Agricultural Extension said that about 45 honey collectors from different districts have set up beehives in seven upazilas of the district.
Honey collectors have set up 2,812 beehives in Islampur upazila, 1,105 in Melanda, 1,100 in Sarishabari, 780 in Madarganj, 1,050 in Bakshiganj, 230 in Dewanganj and 210 in Jamalpur Sadar.
Kazi Moniruzzaman, who has set up 200 beehives in Gaibandha union of Islampur upazila, said, “I always come to the district to collect honey from Gazipur in the hope of good profits.” He told us that he has collected 800 kg of honey since the first week of December. He said that each kg of honey is being sold for Tk 350 to Tk 400. He expressed hope that this year we will be able to collect a good amount of honey as the weather is favorable. He also said that the honey collection will continue till mid-January. Nurul Huda, a resident of Satkhira district, has set up 190 beehives in Chhabilapur village of Melanda upazila. He has already collected 35 maunds of honey. He said, “I collect honey from different flowers all year round and have been involved in this profession for the last four years.” Mosharraf Hossain, a resident of Satkhira district, said, “I have been involved in this profession for the last 15 years.” He said, “My family runs on the income from honey collection.”
He collects 35 maunds of honey from the mustard field in Shyampur village of Melandah upazila.
Stating that he is facing an investment crisis, he said that if he gets a loan from the government, it will be possible for him to continue his profession smoothly.
Zakia Sultana, Deputy Director of the Department of Agricultural Extension, said that last year, 34 honey collectors set up 5,643 boxes and collected 26,450 kg of honey, but this year it has increased significantly.
She also said that the farmers are also happy as the mustard farmers benefit from pollination during honey collection.
