Jamalpur: Honey collectors have set up 3,665 bee boxes across mustard fields in Jamalpur district this season for honey collection.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reported that a total of 5,255 kilograms of honey has been collected so far from these setups.
The DAE indicated that farmers in the district cultivated mustard on 40,982 hectares of land for the 2025-26 season, with honey collection occurring on approximately 2,405 hectares. The bee boxes have been distributed across all seven upazilas of the district, managed by 22 honey collectors. Specifically, 240 boxes were placed in Jamalpur Sadar, 555 in Sarishabari, 780 in Melandaha, 360 in Islampur, 680 in Dewanganj, and 1,050 in Bakshiganj upazila.
DAE officials noted that the honey harvests amounted to 620 kg in Jamalpur Sadar, 820 kg in Sarishabari, 1,325 kg in Melandaha, 370 kg in Islampur, 430 kg in Dewanganj, and 1,690 kg in Bakshiganj. Honey collector Md Nayem from Faridpur district mentioned setting up 250 bee boxes in Melandaha upazila’s Kazaikata area. He expressed dissatisfaction with the honey yield, attributing it to insufficient sunlight, and planned to continue collection for another 10 days before relocating.
Md Obidullah, another honey businessman active since 2018, installed 200 bee boxes in Bakshiganj upazila. He shared that adverse weather conditions limited honey harvesting to once during his month-long stay. He and his team of five have been stationed in the area for collection purposes. He cited that the market price of honey ranges from Tk 11,500 to Tk 12,000 per maund, but alleged lower prices due to syndication.
Contrary to this claim, Ibrahim Khalil, a honey businessman with five years of experience, denied any syndicate’s existence, stating there are no large honey traders in the district. He mentioned honey is being sold at Tk 11,000 per maund. Meanwhile, primary school head teacher Monira Yesmin purchased mustard honey at Tk 300 per kilogram directly from collectors, valuing its purity and nutritional benefits.
Deputy Director of the DAE, Mohammad Alam Sharif Khan, highlighted a decline in the number of honey collectors this year, attributing it to late mustard cultivation, delayed flowering, and unfavorable weather conditions.