Honey collection from mustard fields has become a boon for beekeepers in the Rajshahi region, including the vast Barind tract, improving their livelihoods and boosting rural incomes. With mustard plants now in full bloom, a large number of beekeepers are busy harvesting honey commercially, turning seasonal farming into a profitable venture.
Khalilur Rahman, a resident of Bijoynagar village under Godagari upazila, has got involved in honey collection from mustard fields for more than two decades. Similarly, Azim Uddin, 58, of Gangarampur village in Charghat upazila, has been rearing native honeybees in 20 boxes for the last 15 years.
Abir Hossain, a beekeeper from Purba Bamnal village under Godagari upazila, said he collects an average of 15 kilograms of honey per box every month. “By selling honey collected from mustard fields, I earn more than Tk 5 lakh every winter season,” he said.
Government support—including mustard seeds, fertilizers, honeybees, training, and digital honey-collecting boxes along with necessary tools—has inspired him to expand his honey harvesting activities further, he added.
Like him, many other beekeepers have taken steps to collect honey after receiving government assistance and utilising local natural resources.
Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer Atanu Sarker said groups of farmers in each union have been provided with support to promote honey harvesting as a complementary farming practice.
Local residents say that the number of honey collectors is increasing steadily in the region, as the activity is highly lucrative. Besides generating income, honeybee rearing in mustard fields plays a crucial role in crop pollination, leading to higher mustard yields. Recognising such benefits, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) has been encouraging farmers to rear honeybees under various special projects.
Professor Redwanur Rahman of the Institute of Environmental Sciences at Rajshahi University (RU) said that honey producers require more technological support, financial assistance, and a well-structured marketing system to further boost profits in the sector.
Like previous years, honey collectors have set up boxes in different areas during this season, and composite farming is increasingly being recognised as an effective method to boost mustard production in the region.
DAE Additional Director Dr Azizur Rahman said that honey harvesting is expanding into new areas every year, contributing significantly to employment generation while increasing overall honey production.
Meanwhile, around 6.46 lakh tonnes of mustard are expected to be harvested from 3.89 lakh hectares of land in eight districts under the Rajshahi division during the current Rabi season.
The DAE has set a target of producing 3.06 lakh tonnes of mustard from 1.82 lakh hectares of land in four districts under the Rajshahi Agricultural Zone, while another 3.40 lakh tonnes of mustard are expected from 2.07 lakh hectares of land in four districts under the Bogra Agricultural Zone.
At present, mustard fields across the region have started turning yellow, creating a picturesque landscape. Favourable weather conditions and various DAE initiatives during the current Rabi season point to a bumper mustard harvest.
