PESHAWAR: In Mohib Banda village, Nowshera, 28-year-old beekeeper Malyar Khan and his brothers scrambled to rescue 500 bee boxes as monsoon floods surged over their farmland. The family, already devastated by the 2022 floods, now faces the dual threat of natural disasters and climate change that has begun to uproot Pakistan’s once-thriving beekeeping industry.
“When I woke up, more than half our bee colonies were under water,” Malyar recounted with a heavy heart. “We had to evacuate everything—we couldn’t afford another loss.”
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, known for its rich vegetation and bee-friendly environment, has long been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s honey production. But rising climate unpredictability—marked by excessive rain, droughts, and rising temperatures—is taking its toll. Extended dry spells and reduced flower blooming have led to significant drops in honey yields.
“Bees are extremely sensitive to environmental changes,” said Iftikhar Khalil, former Director of Apiculture at the Forest Department. “Too much rain or hail ruins the flowers, and no flowers means no nectar.”
Adding to the crisis is deforestation, which has caused the disappearance of key nectar-rich plants like ber (jujube) and palosa. These trees are vital for bee survival, especially wild species like Apis dorsata. Pakistan hosts four main bee species, including the native Apis cerana, the smaller Apis florea, the wild Apis dorsata, and the commercially dominant Apis mellifera, introduced in 1977. While Apis mellifera produces up to 25 kg of honey per box per season, it is more prone to bacterial diseases exacerbated by warming and humidity.
Without intervention, Iftikhar warns that every 1,000 kg batch of honey could lose up to 10 kg due to climate-induced damage and disease. He advocates for modern techniques, preventive measures, and better training for beekeepers.
Despite these challenges, beekeeping remains a powerful pillar of Pakistan’s rural economy. Experts estimate that with proper support, Pakistan could produce up to 70,000 metric tons of honey annually, generating Rs 43 billion in revenue and over 100,000 jobs. Pakistani honey, especially ber and phulai, is in high demand in international markets such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, China, and the US.
Sher Zaman, General Secretary of the All Pakistan Beekeepers Association, urged the KP government to issue official ID cards for beekeepers to facilitate seasonal migrations and reduce inspection-related losses. He also demanded a strict ban on cutting nectar-producing trees.
Musawar Khan, Advisor to the KP Chief Minister on Forests, acknowledged the growing threats and outlined measures under the ASPIRE project to train 15,000 beekeepers through NAVTTC. He said bee-friendly trees are being prioritized in monsoon plantations and thousands of bee boxes have already been distributed to flood-affected farmers.
Bees play a crucial role in pollinating one-third of all food crops. Their decline not only endangers honey production but threatens global food security.
“Bees are not just about honey—they’re guardians of our ecosystem,” said Khalil. “Losing them is like pulling a thread from the fabric of our food system.”
For Malyar Khan and thousands like him, each hive is more than just a source of income—it is a symbol of resilience. But without climate-smart policies, financial support, and strong ecological protections, the buzzing heartbeat of Pakistan’s beekeeping industry may fall silent.
