Leading names in the Indian honey industry launched the formation of the India Honey Alliance (IHA). IHA aims to provide a unified voice to every stakeholder operating in the entire honey ecosystem from ‘Hive to Home’.
The all-inclusive alliance comprises honey companies, exporters, bee-keepers, farmers, processors, and science experts from across the country. The alliance is one of its kind and has made beekeepers one of the key stakeholders. The alliance intends to give equal visibility to all people involved in the honey business.
IHA has already initiated dialogue with Central Government and is working closely with the consumers as well as scientific bodies to take modern, easy-to-use, affordable, and scalable technology to farmers and apiarists. IHA has been promoting science-based quality standards for Indian honey to improve the current practices of sourcing, testing, packaging, etc.
IHA organized a highly successful series of webinars in the month of May, where various eminent experts discussed the importance of putting in place ‘fit for purpose’ technology for testing; how to improve bee-keeping and collection of honey at the grass-root level.
A separate panel aimed at creating consumer awareness and clear myths surrounding honey by bringing renowned doctors (Ayurveda and Unani), nutritionists to discuss the palliative, preventive and curative properties of honey.
Shahrukh Khan, the chairperson, IHA, said, “There are many myths and misconceptions about honey and its purity. Also, there were many concerns expressed about the increasing instances of honey adulteration. So, we felt the need to create a neutral and objective platform for people from the sector to come together to clear all the ambiguity and to give honey the place of pride in our homes that it deserves. We are bringing together every player ranging from the smallest beekeeper to the biggest marketer and experts, researchers, and scientists to reinforce consumers’ trust globally that Indian honey is adulteration-free.”
The new office bearers are Surender Sharma, Patanjali is the vice-chairperson; Dr. B.K Shrikhande, Baidyanath is the deputy chairperson, Vinit Singh, Brij Honey is the treasurer; Deepak Jolly is secretary-general and Namrata Khanna is the director.
