In southern India, beekeeping helps Indigenous women earn more
In southern India, a UNESCO-led beekeeping initiative is helping Indigenous women from the Irula, Kurumba, and Kattunayaka communities gain financial independence by training them in sustainable honey production. The project, launched in 2025, provides equipment and education, replacing traditional, risky wild honey hunting with safer, more reliable managed beekeeping using native Asian honey bees. Participants have reported increased income and improved crop yields in nearby farms, while fostering community collaboration. The program has achieved a 100% retention rate and is being considered for expansion to other regions.
A beekeeping project in southern India is helping Indigenous women earn income through sustainable honey production.
It offers a safer, more reliable alternative to traditional wild honey hunting and supports economic independence for women in these communities.
The initiative combines environmental stewardship with empowerment, showing how conservation and livelihoods can go hand in hand.
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