1. What is this item?

A beekeeping apiary zone is a designated area on the farm designed specifically for raising bees to produce honey, beeswax, and other hive products. It typically includes a set of beehives strategically placed to optimize the health of the bee colony and the yield of honey and pollens. The apiary zone may also be used for pollination services for other crops, increasing overall farm productivity.

Key components of a beekeeping apiary zone:

• Bee Hives: Wooden, plastic, or modern, stacked hive boxes for the bees

• Bee Colony Stock: The bees themselves, typically purchased in a nucleus colony or package

• Bee Keeping Equipment: Protective gear (suits, gloves, etc.), smokers, hive tools

• Bee Feeders: For providing bees with supplemental food (sugar syrup, pollen, etc.)

• Honey Harvesting Tools: Extractors, uncapping tools, and containers for collection

• Pollination Support Structures: These may include flowering plants for bees to forage on, as well as barriers to protect the bees from predators

• Hive Placement: Optimal placement of hives is crucial to maximize productivity and maintain colony health

2. How is the Quantity Estimated?

• Size of apiary: Typically, an apiary can consist of 5–50 hives, but commercial beekeepers may operate with 100+ hives.

• Hive Density: One apiary zone can handle 20-40 hives per hectare depending on local environmental conditions.

3. What are the Cost Components?

• Bee Hives: ₹4,000–10,000 per hive (depending on material and size)

• Bee Colony Stock: ₹2,000–4,000 per colony

• Bee Keeping Equipment: ₹10,000–25,000 (full set including protective gear, smoker, hive tools)

• Bee Feeders & Supplements: ₹1,500–5,000 per season

• Pollination Support Structures: ₹2,000–5,000 (flowering plants, fencing)

• Honey Harvesting Equipment: ₹20,000–60,000 (depending on scale, extraction tools)

4. What are the Going Rates & Per Unit Cost?

Component Cost Estimate Quantity/Size

Bee Hives ₹4,000–10,000 Per hive

Bee Colony Stock ₹2,000–4,000 Per colony

Bee Keeping Equipment ₹10,000–25,000 Full set

Bee Feeders & Supplements ₹1,500–5,000 Per season

Pollination Support Structures ₹2,000–5,000 Flowering plants, fencing

Honey Harvesting Equipment ₹20,000–60,000 Extractors, uncapping tools

Estimated Total Cost (for 5–50 hives):

• Small Apiary (5–10 hives): ₹25,000–75,000

• Medium Apiary (20–50 hives): ₹1–5 Lakh

• Large Apiary (100+ hives): ₹5–10 Lakh