An increased number of farmers and honey beekeepers have found success in commercial honey farming in mustard fields in Tangail district. They have set up over 20,000 honey boxes in mustard fields this year.
Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said that farmers are cultivating mustard on 58,120-hectare land, which is 7500-hectare more than in the previous year.
Abul Bashar, deputy director of DAE in Tangail, said farmers have set up 20,000 honey boxes in the fields this year, which will increase mustard production as well.
Alamgir Hossain Alam, a farmer, said that he has cultivated mustard on five acres of land this year. He has set up honey boxes in his field to earn additional income. Bees help pollination while collecting honey, fluttering from flower to flower of the mustard which can help increase mustard production, the farmer said.
In most cases, seasonal honey collectors do not own the mustard fields themselves. Therefore, they rely on mustard farmers to allow them to set up their honey boxes beside their fields and pay a certain amount of money as rent for leasing land to keep the boxes.
However, this year they fear the business will not generate much revenue due to unfavorable weather and low price of honey.
Dhaka TribuneThe DAE in Tangail has extended its support to farmers already in this regard.
Farmers told Dhaka Tribune that a syndicate is toying with honey prices. They said it has now become difficult for honey collectors to make money as middlemen are now more active than ever in making a quick buck. They sought support from the government in this regard.
Jahirul Islam Khokon, a farmer, told Dhaka Tribune that prices this year are lower than in the previous year and sales have also dropped.
Also, bees are not coming out of their hives due to unpleasant weather, which is hampering production.
This year he said he collected five to six maunds of honey from all 40 boxes he set up, which is much lower than his expectations.