Photo : BSS

JAMALPUR, Jan 4, 2026 (BSS) – Honey collectors have set up 3,665 bee boxes in mustard fields across Jamalpur district for honey collection this season.

Sources at the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) said a total of 5,255 kilograms (kg) of honey has been collected so far.

According to the DAE, farmers cultivated mustard on 40,982 hectares of land in the district during the 2025–26 season, while honey is being collected from mustard fields covering 2,405 hectares.

The bee boxes were set up across all seven upazilas of the district by 22 honey collectors. Of the total, 240 boxes were installed in Jamalpur Sadar, 555 in Sarishabari, 780 in Melandaha, 360 in Islampur, 680 in Dewanganj and 1,050 in Bakshiganj upazila.

DAE officials said honey collectors harvested 620 kg in Jamalpur Sadar, 820 kg in Sarishabari, 1,325 kg in Melandaha, 370 kg in Islampur, 430 kg in Dewanganj and 1,690 kg in Bakshiganj.

Honey collector Md Nayem, hailing from Faridpur district, said he set up 250 bee boxes in the Kazaikata area of Melandaha upazila. He said that honey collection has been unsatisfactory due to a lack of sunlight. He added that he would continue collection for another 10 days before moving to another district.

Another honey businessman, Md Obidullah, said he has been involved in the business since 2018. He installed 200 bee boxes in Bakshiganj upazila. Due to adverse weather, he said, honey was harvested only once during his one-month stay there. He added that he and five others have been staying in the area for honey collection.

He said the market price of honey is between Tk 11,500 and Tk 12,000 per maund (40 kg). “Due to syndication, we are getting lower prices,” he alleged.

Honey businessman Md Selim Hossain said there is high demand for mustard honey, but inclement weather has discouraged collectors.

Marketing Officer Anamul Haque said mustard honey is being sold at Tk 500 per kilogram in the retail market. 
However, honey businessman Ibrahim Khalil, who has been in the trade for five years, denied the existence of any syndicate, saying there are no large honey traders in the district. He said honey is being sold at Tk 11,000 per maund.

Monira Yesmin, a primary school head teacher, said she purchased mustard honey directly from collectors at Tk 300 per kilogram. She said the honey is pure and nutritious.

Deputy Director of the DAE, Mohammad Alam Sharif Khan, said the number of honey collectors declined this year due to late mustard cultivation, delayed flowering and unfavorable weather.