Patna, Dec 21 (NationPress) In a remarkable tale of self-reliance, a resident of Kadamhia village in the Bagaha subdivision of Bihar is making significant strides. Nestled near the Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Suman Devi has successfully established a beekeeping business alongside her husband, Satyendra Singh, producing and distributing pure honey across India and even internationally.

What commenced as a modest venture has blossomed into a robust enterprise, with their honey reaching various regions including Bihar, Delhi, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and extending as far as Dubai.

Suman Devi shared that she embarked on formal training in beekeeping roughly six years ago, inspired by the Block Horticulture Officer as part of the horticulture mission. With the assistance of then Bagaha Sub-Divisional Magistrate Deepak Mishra, she secured a loan of Rs 4 lakh under the Centre's PMFME scheme, marking a pivotal moment in her entrepreneurial journey.

Although she faced skepticism from villagers and family, her determination remained unwavering as she pursued her aspirations.

Presently, Suman manages 50 bee boxes. During winter, each box yields an average of 15 kg of honey monthly, culminating in a total production of nearly 750 kg each month.

With honey priced at around Rs 500 per kg, her monthly earnings can reach up to Rs 3.75 lakh, significantly enhancing her family’s financial situation.

Reflecting on her past challenges, Suman revealed that she and her husband were once employed as laborers in a factory outside their state. Overwhelmed by harsh living conditions and social stigma, she decided to return to her village to forge her own path. After trying her hand at organic farming and mushroom cultivation, she pursued a month-long beekeeping training in Rajasthan.

Today, she markets her products under the brand “Rudra Natural Honey and Soap”, with exports to Dubai becoming a reality. Suman firmly believes that through hard work and self-confidence, any woman can achieve self-reliance.

Motivated by her journey, around 150 women have ventured into self-employment, with nearly 70 women now fully established and financially independent. Suman has become a beacon of hope for countless women in her region.

In an interview with IANS, Suman noted that beekeeping is relatively straightforward in her locality due to its proximity to dense forests. “The forest begins just about 100 metres from our village, and flowers bloom year-round, giving our honey a unique mixed flavor and medicinal properties,” she explained. Their honey undergoes laboratory testing in Lucknow and is in demand even beyond Bihar.

She mentioned that, despite initial challenges, their honey is now supplied to SSB personnel canteens and purchased by senior officials, including DIGs and commandants, as well as local consumers.

“We received invaluable support from the government in the form of loans, which was crucial for us. Building a business takes time and carries risks. We faced losses for nearly two years; however, proper training and perseverance led us to success. I have also been honored with recognitions,” she added.

Satyendra Singh, her husband, noted that they first discovered beekeeping training through the horticulture department. “Around 35 of us underwent training together and commenced work, but faced initial setbacks. Eventually, after consulting with officials, we were sent to Rajasthan for advanced training, which proved transformative,” he stated.