Pahal Singh Rawal, a resident of Silal in Nalagad municipality, has seen remarkable success with beekeeping. Last year, he sold 400 kilograms of honey, and this year, he has already extracted 450 kilograms from beehives.

Living in a temporary shelter after his house collapsed in the devastating earthquake of November 2023, he has managed to secure a steady income through honey production. With around 100 beehives, Rawal finds beekeeping a sustainable and rewarding occupation.

"The demand and price of honey are rising every year. Unlike other businesses, beekeeping is not very difficult," he said. "Even after deducting expenses, I save at least Rs300,000 per season. This has helped me overcome the financial struggles caused by the earthquake."

His neighbour, Dhan Bahadur Rawal has expanded his honey business, supplying key cities such as Nepalgunj, Surkhet, Dang, and Kathmandu. With 65 beehives, he produced 350 kilograms of honey this year, earning around Rs350,000.

Several villages in Nalagad municipality—including Kalpat, Pali, Chiuri, Dadagaun, Laha, and Khagenkot—have become major honey-producing hubs. Many farmers in these areas have found self-sufficiency through beekeeping, with traders now coming directly to the villages to purchase honey.

In the earthquake-ravaged district of Jajarkot, beekeeping has become a vital source of income for many farmers, providing financial stability amid ongoing hardships. For earthquake survivors and small-scale farmers, beekeeping has become more than just a business—a lifeline.

Despite facing environmental challenges such as deforestation, overgrazing, climate change, and irregular blooming of Chiuri (Nepali butter tree), honey production has continued to grow in volume and market demand.

In Kalpat, honey fetches between Rs1,000 and Rs1,500 per kg, reflecting the growing domestic and international demand. The unique taste and purity of Jajarkot honey have attracted international buyers, encouraging more farmers to take up beekeeping.

British beekeeping expert Rudy Repka and his wife, Lydia Aniela, have been exporting honey from Kalpat to the UK for the past four years. The couple even lived in Kalpat for months, training local farmers in advanced beekeeping techniques.

Their efforts have inspired many, including Dharma Raj Rawal from Silal, who expanded his beekeeping business to 135 beehives. This year, his farm produced 450 kilograms of honey.

His brother, Hari Bahadur, manages Karnali Agro Station in Kirtipur, Kathmandu, which exports Jajarkot honey to the US, Japan, and the UK.

"We package, brand, and label the honey before exporting," said Hari Bahadur. "Right now, we are struggling to meet the growing demand. This year alone, we have exported around 3,500 kilograms of honey."

Similarly, Nakuli Organic Herbal Agro Pvt Ltd has been exporting up to 4,000 kilograms of honey annually to Australia, the US, Dubai, and South Korea since 2018.

According to Amrit Adhikari, an agricultural officer in Nalagad municipality, the region has over 100 individual beekeepers and 250 commercial beekeeping farmers. This year, Nalagad alone produced 2,800 tonnes of honey, cementing its position as a key honey-producing region.

Kalimati rural municipality in Salyan is another honey-producing pocket in Karnali.

Bed Bahadur Oli from Ghigane keeps 51 beehives, and this year, he harvested around 4,000 kilograms of honey. Selling at Rs1,000 per kilogram, he earned approximately Rs400,000, netting a profit of Rs300,000 after covering expenses.

"Beekeeping mainly requires investment in hives, extraction equipment, and occasional technical support," Oli explained. "The demand for honey is growing domestically and internationally, and prices remain high. We are making a good income while staying at home."

Ram Bahadur Oli, another farmer from the region, emphasised the importance of Chiuri trees as a key source of nectar for bees.

"If there are enough foraging areas, beekeeping can be highly profitable," he said. "However, deforestation and erratic Chiuri blooming are urgent concerns."

According to the Karnali provincial Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture, and Cooperatives, total honey production in the region reached 391 tonnes this year. Jajarkot produced 35 tonnes, Salyan 38 tonnes, and Humla 21 tonnes.

Nearly half of this honey is exported to India, the UK, Japan, and the US through various companies, farms, and cooperatives.

Ministry spokesperson Dhan Bahadur Kathayat reported that honey production increased by 25 percent compared to last year.

Over the past seven years, the government has invested Rs70 million in expanding and marketing the beekeeping industry, with Rs15 million allocated for further development this year alone.

Farmers and experts stress the need for conservation efforts to sustain honey production. Protecting Chiuri trees, implementing sustainable grazing practices, and promoting afforestation can help maintain a stable bee ecosystem.