Beekeeping can be a daunting task. It takes work and commitment, requiring an exceptional amount of patience and a calm temperament. Even with protective gear, the occasional sting can be hard to avoid. Yet, many households throughout the country depend on apiculture as a source of income. In Bumthang’s Dhur village, a single mother has turned to beekeeping as a means of survival. In this story, she takes us through her beekeeping journey and what it takes to be a beekeeper.
For the 34-year-old from Dhur village in Choekhor Gewog, every hive is more than honey. It represents hope.
Beekeeping is more than a source of income. It is a means of survival and a way to secure a better future for her three sons.
Dawa has been raising bees since 2021. She started beekeeping with a simple goal: to earn enough to support her family and educate her children.
“I started beekeeping with just three hives. By the following year, I had increased the number to eight, and today, I have 28 hives,” said Dawa.
She carefully checks the bee combs, observing how the colony is growing.
The work is not without challenges. Handling bees requires patience, care and regular attention. But Dawa says the challenges are worth facing because beekeeping allows her to earn from home while taking care of her three sons.
Dawa says as a single mother, managing a household and raising school-going children leaves her with little opportunity to take up other work.
“It is not an easy task, and I have faced many challenges along the way. But with my hard work and effort, I am now able to earn something from it. So, I would encourage other single mothers who are looking for a source of income to consider beekeeping.”
The work does not stop at honey extraction.
Dawa feeds the bees sugar to help sustain the colonies, carefully tending to the hives so they remain productive.
Dawa earned Nu 175,000 from beekeeping last year. “I am expecting to earn more than Nu 300,000 this year. From next year onwards, I will try to multiply hives because I have to meet expenses for my children.”
For now, Dawa’s bee colonies remain small. But she sees potential in every hive. She plans to gradually expand her beekeeping venture.
For a mother who cannot easily leave home to pursue other work, these tiny creatures have become a reliable source of strength.
And as the bees continue to build their hives, Dawa too is building a future, one hive at a time.
Thinley Dorji, Bumthang
