: Sunday, December 21, 2025 10:34 PM
Patna. A woman resident of Kadamhiya of Bagaha sub-division of Bihar is writing a new story of self-reliance today. In this village adjacent to the forest of Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Suman Devi along with her husband Satyendra Singh is producing pure honey by beekeeping. The demand for this honey is no longer limited to Bihar only, but has reached Delhi, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Dubai. Suman Devi tells that about six years ago, she took training in beekeeping with the inspiration of BHO Nidhi of Horticulture Mission. After this, with the help of the then SDM of Bagaha, Deepak Mishra, he got a loan of Rs 4 lakh under the PMFME scheme of the Central Government, which became an opportunity for him to move forward in this field. Initially the village people and relatives made fun of him, but he did not give up. Currently Suman has 50 B-boxes. During the winter season, an average of 15 kg of honey per month is being produced from each B-box. In this way about 750 kg of honey is being produced monthly. The price of one kg honey is Rs 500. From this he is earning around Rs 3.75 lakh every month. Today his family has become financially strong with this income.
Suman Devi tells that earlier she used to work as a laborer in a factory in another state along with her husband. Tired of difficult conditions and social taunts, he decided to return to his village and start his own business. First did organic farming and mushroom production, then went to Rajasthan and took one month training and started beekeeping. Today Suman is branding her product with the name ‘Rudra Natural Honey and Soap’. Honey is being supplied from army canteen to Dubai.
Suman says that with hard work and confidence any woman can become self-reliant. So far, about 150 women have started self-employment with Suman’s inspiration, out of which 70 are fully established and doing their economic development. Today Suman has become an inspiration for hundreds of women.
Suman said that beekeeping is easier here compared to other places, because the forest here is very big and spread. There is a forest just 100 meters away from our place. One or the other flower keeps blooming in the forest for 12 months. The honey here is very good. We get lab tests done in Lucknow. The people there also order honey from us. This honey is like medicinal herbs, which are not found anywhere else. Mixed flavor honey is available here.
Suman says that there was a lot of trouble in the beginning, but now this honey also goes to the canteen of SSB jawans. DIG, Commandant and local people also buy it. We got a loan from the government, from which we benefited. At present we are making good profits. This business takes time and there is a risk of loss. We had training and suffered losses for two years, but now we have become successful. I have also received many honors. Now 60-70 women have joined us.
Suman’s husband Satyendra Singh said that we had received information that training in beekeeping can be taken from the Horticulture Department. 35 of us came together and took training and started the work, but could not succeed. After this we met the officials, then we were sent to Rajasthan for training. We got better training there. –
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Web Title-Bihar: Suman from Bagaha is writing a new story of self-reliance, earning millions through beekeeping.
