Barabanki’s ‘Madhumakkhiwala’ Honey producer firm gains global recognition

In line with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s vision, the way young entrepreneurs and self-employment are being promoted in Uttar Pradesh’s economic development is exemplified by the ‘Madhumakkhiwala’ start-up run by Nimit Singh in Barabanki district.

In this context, a delegation from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, led by Ishan Jayawardene, and APEDA’s Regional Head, Sandeep Saha, visited the ‘Madhumakkhiwala’ start-up farm in Barabanki district on Saturday.

Advertisement

The delegation appreciated the start-up’s beekeeping methods and honey production techniques and assured their support in global branding and sales of their product.

The delegation from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) conducted a thorough inspection of the Madhumakkhiwala farm and openly praised the modern methods employed, such as the production of natural honey without heat and adulteration, or the use of chemicals.

Jayawardene stated that the farm is not only technologically advanced but also a living example of environmental conservation and community development. The delegation also assured support in branding the high-quality honey, produced from diverse natural sources such as mustard, multiflora, eucalyptus, ajwain, neem, and jamun, at a global level, similar to New Zealand’s GI-tagged Manuka honey.

Other relevant officials, including the Deputy Director of the UP Horticulture Department, were also present on the occasion. They provided suggestions to the community honey producers associated with Madhumakkhiwala and other beekeepers in the district on improving the quality of their products and expanding their export potential.

Nimit Singh, the founder of ‘Madhubee Wala’, has transformed beekeeping into a sustainable livelihood and a means of community development, starting from Rajouli in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh.

Talking to media persons, Nimit Singh said that he started the Madhubee Wala startup in 2014. Since 2017, the positive environment for startups in Uttar Pradesh, along with the support received from the state government’s CM Self-Employment Scheme and CM Youth Entrepreneur Scheme, as well as the State Horticulture Department and the PM-EGP scheme, has helped his product gain global recognition.

He mentioned that his efforts had previously been recognised with a Governor’s Award at Raj Bhavan and featured in the Prime Minister’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program.

He further stated that the selection of his firm for inspection under the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with APEDA and New Zealand will provide support for branding and selling honey and local products from the state at a global level. This inspection programme will prove to be a significant step towards promoting cooperation in agriculture and honey production between India and New Zealand.