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NATORE, Feb 20: Beekeepers in Chalan Beel area of Pabna, Natore and Sirajganj districts have made a profit over Tk 280 million this season.
More than 810 beekeepers of the area were involved with the profession.
President of the North Bengal Beekeepers' Association Md Jahangir Alam said bee cultivators had made some Tk 260 million profit last year.
Repeated satisfactory production and fair prices encourage the beekeepers to expand apiculture in mustard fields during the winter, he added.
Beekeeper Soleman Hossain of Royganj upazila in Sirajganj district said beekeeping is gaining popularity in the area for high profit.
Many people in Chalan Beel area are now self-reliant from apiculture, he added.
Sources said around 1,200 tonnes to 1500 tonnes of honey have been collected from mustard fields in the Pabna, Natore and Sirajganj districts this year.
According to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) sources, 78,000 hectares of land have so far been brought under mustard cultivation in the three districts during the Rabi season this year.
Over 40,000 bee boxes were set up in different mustard fields in the area.
Generally, honey collection begins from the first week of December and continues till last week of February.
Farmers' sources said the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) arranges short-term training sessions for beekeepers regularly.
Many honey farmers go to Pabna, Sirajganj and Natore district in the winter from different parts across the country to set up bee boxes in the mustard field.
A BSCIC official said mustard field is suitable for honey collection than any other winter crops.