**Executive Summary**
On May 20, 2026, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) organized nationwide virtual programmes to celebrate World Honey Bee Day under the theme “Bee Together for People and the Planet.” The event highlighted the progress of the “Sweet Revolution” and the Honey Mission, which has significantly increased domestic honey production and exports. KVIC Chairman Shri Manoj Kumar emphasized the role of beekeeping in environmental conservation and rural self-reliance, calling for the expansion of these initiatives to every village.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Details and Theme**
* The programme was conducted virtually to ensure wider participation, reduce expenditure, and promote energy conservation.
* Activities included the virtual inauguration of a Honey Exhibition at the Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI) in Pune.
* The 2026 theme, “Bee Together for People and the Planet,” focused on biodiversity protection, environmental conservation, and agricultural productivity.
* **Honey Mission Achievements (2017–2026)**
* KVIC has distributed 2,46,099 bee-boxes and bee colonies across India since the mission's launch in 2017.
* Total honey production increased by 24,269 metric tonnes during this period.
* For the 2025–26 period, honey production reached an estimated 5,512 metric tonnes.
* Exports by KVIC-associated beekeepers reached approximately Rs. 31 crore.
* **Strategic Objectives**
* Promotion of the “Sweet Revolution” to transform rural India through self-employment and self-reliance (*Aatmanirbhar Bharat*).
* Utilizing digital platforms to share beekeeping experiences and success stories among stakeholders.
* Focusing on effective governance with minimal expenditure through virtual nationwide connectivity.
**Impact Analysis**
**Beekeepers and Rural Artisans**
**Impact**
They have received resources, such as bee-boxes and colonies, leading to enhanced livelihood generation, increased honey production, and access to international markets.
**Action Required**
Continue to adopt modern beekeeping practices, share success stories on digital platforms, and work toward expanding the "Sweet Revolution" at the village level.
**KVIC and Government Officials**
**Impact**
The organization has successfully scaled the Honey Mission, meeting production and export targets while implementing cost-effective, virtual administrative models.
**Action Required**
Maintain momentum in resource distribution and continue providing technical support through institutes like CBRTI to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
**Citizens and Students**
**Impact**
Increased awareness of the vital role honeybees play in environmental sustainability and the national economy.
**Action Required**
Actively contribute to honeybee conservation efforts and support the objective of national self-reliance.
Key Entities Referenced
Honey Mission: An initiative launched by KVIC in 2017 to promote beekeeping as a source of livelihood and increase honey production in rural India.
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC): The statutory body under the Ministry of MSME responsible for planning, promoting, and organizing programs for the development of Khadi and village industries.
Sweet Revolution: A strategic vision and initiative aimed at promoting beekeeping and honey production to accelerate self-employment and rural self-reliance.
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises: The primary governing ministry of the Government of India under which KVIC and the Honey Mission operate.
Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI): A premier institute located in Pune that provides technical training, research support, and organized honey exhibitions for the beekeeping sector.
Ministry of Micro,Small & Medium Enterprises
KVIC Marks World Honey Bee Day 2026 with
Nationwide Virtual Programmes, Promotes
‘Sweet Revolution’
KVIC Celebrates World Honey Bee Day 2026; Highlights PM
Narendra Modi’s Vision of ‘Sweet Revolution’
Posted On: 20 MAY 2026 6:32PM by PIB Mumbai
:Mumbai, 20 May, 2026
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India, organised nationwide
programmes on the occasion of World Honey Bee Day 2026 through virtual mode on
Wednesday from its Headquarters in Mumbai, state and divisional offices across the
country, and the Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI), Pune.
Chairman, KVIC, Shri Manoj Kumar, addressed beekeepers, beneficiaries, scientists,
students, officials and stakeholders across the country virtually from KVIC’s Gandhi
Darshan Office in New Delhi. He also virtually inaugurated the Honey Exhibition
organised at CBRTI, Pune.
The programmes were organised in line with this year’s World Honey Bee Day
theme, “Bee Together for People and the Planet”, highlighting the crucial role of
honeybees in environmental conservation, biodiversity protection and agricultural
productivity.Addressing the participants, Shri Manoj Kumar said that organising the programmes
in virtual mode reflects Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of energy
conservation, optimum utilisation of resources and effective governance with
minimal expenditure. He stated that the virtual format reduced unnecessary travel
and fuel consumption while ensuring wider participation from across the country.
The Chairman said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of transforming the
“White Revolution” into a “Sweet Revolution” has accelerated self-employment and
self-reliance in rural India. Inspired by this vision, KVIC launched the Honey Mission
in 2017, which has emerged as a major source of livelihood generation in villages.
Sharing achievements under the Honey Mission, Shri Manoj Kumar informed that
KVIC has distributed 2,46,099 bee-boxes and bee colonies across the country
between 2017-18 and 2025-26, resulting in an increase of 24,269 metric tonnes in
honey production. During 2025-26, honey production reached an estimated 5,512
metric tonnes, while honey exports by KVIC associated beekeepers touched nearly
Rs.31 crore.
He appealed to citizens and beekeepers to actively contribute towards honeybee
conservation and take the vision of the “Sweet Revolution” to every village of the
country, strengthening the resolve for an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Participants from across the country shared their beekeeping experiences and
success stories through digital platforms. The programme was attended by KVIC
officials, experts, representatives of Khadi institutions, artisans, trainees, bank
representatives, and state government officials. The event reflected KVIC’s
continued efforts towards building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
PIB Mumbai | Jaydevi Pujari Swami/Robin Singh/Priti Malandkar
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