'Amrit Honey’ from Mavelikkara - A Milestone in Sustainable Honey Farming and Processing

A remarkable success story is unfolding in Mavelikkara’s Thazhakkara Panchayat in Alappuzha district, where the Kallimel Beekeeping Center, launched in 2018, has grown into a national model of agricultural innovation and farmer empowerment. Established as the country’s first bee botanical garden, the center now boasts a daily turnover of up to ₹25,000, benefiting thousands of farmers across the region.Spread across three acres under Horticorp, this is the first government-run modern facility for honey production, purification, and marketing. The initiative began by renovating an existing building at a cost of ₹1 crore to raise awareness about the vital role of bees. Since then, further development works worth over ₹2 crore have enhanced the facility in multiple phases.The center annually produces around two tons of honey, with about 200 beehives housing both Indian and small bees. Honey collected from farmers is purchased at fair prices, then processed and marketed under the brand ‘Amrit Honey’, ensuring quality at affordable rates. Over 50,000 kg of honey has been sold, with one kilogram priced at ₹380 and five kilograms at ₹1,375.Comprehensive beekeeping training is provided to farmers, and those who complete it successfully receive beehives and related equipment at a 40% subsidy, supported by central and state schemes. So far, over 1,500 farmers have been trained, and more than 10,000 farmers have received subsidized assistance to develop bee colonies.The center also produces and markets value-added products like honey soap, licorice, true indigo, and different varieties of rice. It has received approval to establish a honey quality testing lab for farmers, with construction expected to start within two months. Plans are in place to transform the facility into a honey museum to promote tourism and educate visitors.In a unique innovation, fruit-flavored honey has been developed using infusion technology after two decades of research by Horticorp. The required machinery for this process has been developed in-house, positioning the center at the forefront of agri-based product innovation.The Kallimel Beekeeping Center stands as a shining example of how targeted agricultural development can enhance local economies, empower farmers, and contribute to sustainable livelihoods through honey production.