The India Honey Alliance (IHA) recently held its third Annual General Meeting (AGM) in New Delhi, celebrating three years of progress in supporting the beekeeping community. Nearly 100 participants, including beekeepers, farmer producer organizations (FPOs), honey aggregators, retailers, scientists, and other industry stakeholders, attended the event, highlighting the collective effort to strengthen the honey sector in India.
The meeting was graced by Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), as the guest of honour, accompanied by Dr. Satyen Kumar Panda, an advisor on Quality Assurance at FSSAI. Other notable government officials included Dr. RS Rajpoot from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Dr. Komal Chauhan, Dean of Outreach at NIFTEM-K, a leading food processing university. The event also saw participation from top industry leaders, including representatives from well-known brands like Hamdard, Baidyanath, Dabur, and leading beekeepers from across the country.
During the meeting, speakers highlighted how the IHA has quickly become a significant voice for everyone involved in the honey industry, from beekeepers to retailers. In just a few years, IHA has been recognized by the government as a key player in addressing all matters related to honey production and quality. The IHA’s efforts focus on creating a supportive environment for the beekeeping sector, which includes promoting better practices, improving productivity, and ensuring the quality of honey available to consumers.
Kamala Vardhana Rao, CEO of FSSAI, spoke about the organization’s commitment to supporting the honey industry by resolving ongoing issues like improving honey standards and lab testing. He appreciated IHA’s initiatives in training, consumer awareness, and setting higher standards for honey quality. Rao also urged everyone involved, from beekeepers to retailers, to work together to create more demand for honey and encourage higher consumption among the public.
The AGM started with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, followed by a welcome speech by Deepak Jolly, the Secretary General of IHA. Namrata Khanna, Director of IHA, also welcomed the guests and highlighted IHA’s achievements, including partnerships with institutions like NIFTEM-K to further promote the beekeeping industry. She spoke about the extensive work IHA has done over the years to support beekeepers and improve the overall honey market in India.
Dr. Komal Chauhan from NIFTEM-K praised IHA’s work and mentioned that the collaboration between NIFTEM-K and IHA has been highly beneficial. She also announced that NIFTEM-K will soon introduce a master trainers program for beekeeping and honey testing, aimed at building skills and enhancing the quality of honey production in India.
Rahul Awasthi, Chairperson of IHA, spoke about the organization’s mission to uplift beekeepers and improve the overall state of the honey ecosystem in India. He emphasized that the positive feedback and support from industry stakeholders have been a great motivation for IHA to continue its work and aim higher. Awasthi reaffirmed IHA’s commitment to supporting the beekeeping community and enhancing the honey sector’s future.
The meeting was a reflection of IHA’s dedication to building a stronger and more resilient honey industry in India. It showcased the ongoing efforts to support beekeepers, improve honey quality, and promote the health benefits of honey to consumers. With the continued support of the government and industry leaders, IHA is set to play a vital role in shaping the future of beekeeping and honey production in the country.