5 sources · 5 articles

Started 1 week ago · Updated 6 days ago

Chitwan Honey Production Declines Significantly Due to Unseasonal Rain, Officials Report

Photo · enewspolar.com

Honey production in Chitwan district has seen a significant decline of over 16 percent this year compared to last year, according to beekeeping officials. The district produced 450 metric tons of honey, down from 540 metric tons previously, with unseasonal rains cited as the primary cause for reduced nectar availability from key sources like mustard and chiyuri. This weather phenomenon has impacted flowering and subsequently lowered the yield from beehives.

• The decline in honey production is attributed to limited production of mustard and chiyuri flowers caused by unseasonal rains, which are primary nectar sources.
• Farmers who typically harvest honey up to three times from mustard fields and five times from chiyuri forests were heavily restricted this year.
• This year, only 30 percent of beekeepers harvested honey from mustard and chiyuri farms, a sharp decrease from the usual 70 percent.
• Approximately 450 commercial farmers manage over 17,500 beehives in the Chitwan district.