Sapkota diversifying honey-based products
Summary
Sandeep Kumar Sapkota of Hetauda is turning honey into soaps, chocolates, tonic, pickles and pollen, and is preparing to launch honey-based wine and mead. He produces about three tonnes of honey a year from 135 hives and has sought trademark registration for his products.
Key Points
- Sandeep Kumar Sapkota has expanded his beekeeping business into soaps, chocolates, tonic, pickles and pollen made from honey.
- He has obtained a licence after laboratory testing and is registering trademarks for his honey-based products.
- Sapkota plans to produce wine and mead, but says taxes and excise duties could raise production costs.
- He currently manages 135 hives in Makwanpur district and earns around Rs. 1.5 million annually from honey sales.
