Problems of Bee Farming in Rural Maharashtra: A Case Study of Patgaon Village

Bee farming (Apiculture) has emerged as a significant allied agricultural activity with strong potential for income generation, rural employment, and ecological sustainability. In rural India, particularly among marginal and small farmers, beekeeping provides a low-investment livelihood option that complements traditional agriculture and enhances crop productivity through pollination. This study examines the problems and prospects of bee farming in Patgaon village, Maharashtra, using primary data collected from 100 beekeepers. The analysis focuses specifically on production challenges, environmental constraints, infrastructural and marketing limitations, institutional support, and future growth opportunities. The findings reveal that while beekeeping in Patgaon village benefits from strong government and cooperative support, high market demand, and favorable price realization, it faces serious challenges such as climate variability, pesticide exposure, disease control difficulties, lack of veterinary assistance, inadequate packaging and value addition facilities, seasonal income instability, and inconsistent market access. Despite these challenges, beekeepers demonstrate strong willingness to expand operations, adopt improved practices, engage in training, and participate in cooperatives. The study concludes that bee farming in patgaon village has strong growth potential as a sustainable rural enterprise, provided that targeted interventions are implemented to strengthen technical support, infrastructure, market linkages, and institutional mechanisms.