Startup operations and problems of honey bee entrepreneurs: experience from India

Present study is an attempt to study the profile and start up operations of the honey bee entrepreneurs in Punjab. Findings of the study are based on a sample of 50 respondents. Results obtained from the analysis of the data collected from a pre-structured questionnaire administered in the local language, indicate that the entrepreneurial activity of beekeeping is occupied by semi-medium and medium male farmers. Most of the entrepreneurs undertaking beekeeping take it as subsidiary occupation, as it can be managed along with other farm activities and proves to be remunerative for the farmers. Results indicate that the public extension services rendered by organisations such as Punjab Agricultural University have played a crucial role in imparting the technical knowledge required for beekeeping activities. It was observed during the study that most of the entrepreneurs start with stationary beekeeping and subsequently shift to migratory beekeeping. Major problems faced by the respondents were related to labour, marketing and production. Efforts are required to ensure that rural youth are motivated to take up beekeeping business as most of the ventures were started by the middle aged farmers.