Harsh Kaliraman, a young agripreneur from Haryana: An example of innovation in beekeeping
Hailing from Ahari, a small village in Jhajjar district of Haryana, Harsh Kaliraman, just 11 years old, has achieved a great feat at his young age. This promising student studying in class V has taken an interest in bee keeping and has not only understood honey production, but has also mastered the technique of extracting royal jelly.
The beginning: Step towards beekeeping
Harsh got inspiration from his father, who manages agricultural operations.
Harsh explains:
“I have always been interested in nature and working with small creatures. My father told me about the usefulness of bees, and I decided to train myself in this field.”
In the past one year, Harsh has gained in-depth knowledge of beekeeping and royal jelly production from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) located in Jhajjar, Hisar Agricultural University (HAU) and Integrated Horticulture Development Centre, Sundarah, Mahendragarh.
Royal Jelly and its Importance
Harsh’s main focus is on the production of royal jelly, a nutrient produced by bees and used for high-quality products.
Main uses of royal jelly:
1. Medicinal use:
• Helpful in boosting immunity and curing skin problems.
2. Cosmetics:
• Used in anti-aging creams and other beauty products.
3. Nutritional supplement:
• Helpful in maintaining energy and health.
Harsh explains,
“Royal jelly is difficult to produce, but its market value is very high. It can increase the income of farmers manifold.”
Contribution of bees in pollination
Bees play an important role not only in honey and royal jelly, but also in pollination of crops.
Importance of pollination:
1. Increase in crop production:
• Pollination increases the quality and production of crops by 30-40%.
2. Biodiversity:
• Honeybees are helpful in maintaining environmental balance.
According to Harsh,
“Many farmers in our region have seen improved crop productivity due to beekeeping. I want all farmers to adopt it.”
Training and Technical Support
Harsh’s Training Journey:
1. Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Jhajjar:
• Basics of beekeeping.
2. Hisar Agricultural University:
• Advanced technology and scientific approach.
3. Integrated Horticulture Development Centre, Sundarah:
• Techniques of royal jelly and honey production.
During his training, Harsh learnt how to keep bees healthy, manage their hives and extract high quality honey and royal jelly.
Market Success
Harsh adopted a systematic strategy to take his products to the market.
Marketing Strategy:
1. Participation in local fairs and exhibitions.
2. Use of online sales platforms.
3. Awareness campaigns in rural and urban areas.
“Customers want organic products, and beekeeping provides them with such an option,” explains Harsh.
Inspiration for farmers
Harsh has started inspiring other farmers in the area at a very young age. He trained many farmers in beekeeping and told them the benefits of this business.
Results of Harsh’s efforts:
1. Increase in the income of local farmers.
2. Increasing the demand for organic and natural products.
3. Promotion of innovation in the agricultural sector.
Support from government and agricultural institutions
So far, Harsh has not directly benefited from any government scheme, but several government schemes can be helpful to boost his efforts.
Proposed schemes:
1. National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBBHM):
• Financial and technical support for beekeeping.
2. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan):
• Empowering farmers through financial assistance.
3. Support of Krishi Vigyan Kendras:
• Training and research.
Future plans
Harsha’s primary plans:
1. Innovation in the field of beekeeping:
• Use of advanced equipment and incorporation of modern techniques.
2. Large-scale royal jelly production:
• Entry into national and international markets.
3. Training local youth:
• Employment generation and strengthening the rural economy.
Harsha’s message
Harsha believes that beekeeping is not only a profitable business, but it is also extremely important for the environment and agriculture. His dream is that every farmer should take up beekeeping and increase their income.
His message is:
“Beekeeping is not just a means of honey production, but a boon for agriculture and the environment.”
Harsha Kaliraman’s story teaches us that age is just a number, and any goal can be achieved with innovation and dedication. By leaving his mark in the field of beekeeping, he has proved that the youth can also bring revolution in agriculture.
His journey is an inspiration for the farmers of not only Jhajjar but also the entire Haryana and the country.
“Harsh’s dream is – bees in every farm and organic products in every plate.”
Contact details: If farmers want to share information or experiences related to farming with us, then they can do this by calling us on the phone number 9599273766 or by writing an email to [email protected] or by sending your recording. Through Kisan of India, we will convey your message to the people, because we believe that if the farmers are advanced then the country is happy.