Empowering Rural Women in India Through Beekeeping
Bees are helping women in rural India earn their first salary
Image: Vogue
Monika Shukla, an IIT Kharagpur alumna, is transforming the lives of rural women in India through her initiative, Humble Bee, which trains women beekeepers. This program not only provides them with a source of income but also enhances agricultural productivity by improving pollination, thereby contributing to biodiversity and climate resilience.
- 01Humble Bee aims to train 25,000 women beekeepers by next year and 100,000 by 2030, potentially generating INR 750 crore (approximately $90 million USD) in income.
- 02The initiative is recognized for its focus on scientific and ethical beekeeping, emphasizing the importance of pollination in agriculture.
- 03Women beekeepers are often more patient and gentle with bees, which leads to better outcomes in managing colonies.
- 04The hives are registered in the women’s names, marking their first direct source of income and ownership.
- 05Shukla's work challenges traditional gender roles by empowering women to take on leadership and entrepreneurial roles in their communities.
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In rural India, Monika Shukla is reshaping the narrative around beekeeping through her initiative, Humble Bee, which empowers women to become beekeepers. Traditionally, beekeeping has been a male-dominated field, but Shukla, an IIT Kharagpur graduate, is helping women earn their first salaries while contributing to environmental sustainability. Humble Bee trains women in ethical beekeeping practices, emphasizing the critical role of pollination in agriculture. The initiative has set ambitious goals to train 25,000 women by next year and 100,000 by 2030, potentially generating INR 750 crore (approximately $90 million USD) in income. Shukla highlights that women often excel as beekeepers due to their gentler approach, which benefits the bees and the ecosystem. The hives are registered in the women’s names, granting them ownership and a direct source of income, thus challenging traditional gender roles in their families. By advocating for regenerative farming and recognizing pollination as essential agricultural infrastructure, Shukla's work not only empowers women but also promotes biodiversity and agricultural resilience.
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The initiative empowers rural women by providing them with a sustainable income source through beekeeping, thereby improving their economic status and influence within their households.
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