Socio-economic status and opportunities of beekeeping for farm women: A case study

Beekeeping is both an art and a science. In India, people commonly pursue beekeeping as a full-time occupation and an engaging hobby that generates substantial income and enhances nutritional status. This study was conducted in Kadua village, Satyabadi block of Puri district, in 2023. The trainees’ responses were assessed based on gender, age, educational status, occupation, and the adoption of beekeeping as an entrepreneurial activity. This study aims to discuss the socio-economic characteristics of beekeepers and to explore the status, strategies, and opportunities for beekeeping at the village level. Cartographic techniques were developed in Excel to achieve the study’s objectives, while descriptive statistics, correlation and regression analysis were calculated using SPSS statistical software. The study found that honeybee rearing practices enhance the economic well-being of farmwomen, enabling them to utilize their time more effectively. Both honeybee rearing experience and the number of bee boxes per family contributed significantly to increased honey production.