In Samboora village of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, a tale of resilience, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit unfolds, revolving around the remarkable journey of Nazim Nazir.
From humble beginnings as a high school student dabbling in beekeeping to the establishment of a thriving honey enterprise recognized nationally, Nazim’s story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring individuals across the country.
Nazim’s journey into the world of apiculture commenced during his formative years, driven by curiosity and a desire to explore unconventional avenues.
With just two boxes of beehives adorning the rooftop of his house, he embarked on a path that would soon transform his life in unforeseen ways.
Fueled by unwavering dedication and relentless hard work, Nazim’s beekeeping enterprise began to flourish.
By 2018, he had expanded his operations, adding 25 more beehives to his inventory. The fruits of his labour were sweet indeed, as he harvested pure organic honey that found eager buyers in the local market.
Encouraged by his initial success, Nazim harboured aspirations of elevating his venture to greater heights.
With the support of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) and guidance from governmental agencies such as the Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Kashmir and the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Nazim’s individual enterprise evolved into the formidable Al Nahl Producer Company Limited, a thriving Farmer Producer Organization (FPO).
A significant milestone in Nazim’s journey came to fruition during a public rally at Bakshi Stadium, where he had the opportunity to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March of this year.
The realization of his long-cherished dream of taking a selfie with the Prime Minister marked a moment of triumph and validation for his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Expressing his gratitude towards the Prime Minister, Nazim said, “The mention by our Prime Minister has given a boost to my business, many orders from reputed dealers from across the country were received after the PM introduced me to the world.”
He added that it also encouraged local dealers to connect with him.
With an annual production capacity of 5000 to 7000 kilograms of pure organic honey and a network of 100 beekeepers associated with his FPO, Nazim’s vision of positioning Al Nahl Honey as a leading brand in the country is well underway.
The journey began in May 2017, when Nazim, then a high school student, embarked on his beekeeping venture out of a desire for pure, quality honey.
Disappointed by the lack of such products in the local market, he took matters into his own hands and started rearing bees in just two hives.
The initial produce was shared among family members and friends.
Buoyed by the positive feedback and encouraged by the purity of his product, Nazim expanded his beekeeping venture by adding 10 more hives, resulting in a significant increase in production.
In April 2018, despite facing resistance from his parents urging him to prioritise his studies, Nazim made a pivotal decision to transform his hobby into a full-fledged commercial enterprise.
With training from the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and investment in additional hives, Nazim’s bee colonies produced a staggering 2400 kilograms of honey within the first six months of commercial operation.
With support from various government officials, Nazim successfully marketed his honey under the brand, Al-Nahl, garnering attention from buyers across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu, and various parts of Kashmir.
As demand for his product soared, Nazim’s father, initially skeptical of his son’s entrepreneurial endeavours, became an ardent supporter, further fuelling the growth of Al-Nahl Honey.
With orders pouring in throughout the year, Nazim devised a strategic plan to shift his bee rearing operations to a warmer place in Rajasthan during the winter season, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality honey to his customers.
With sheer grit, determination, and support from government agencies, Nazim registered his company as a farmer producer organization.
The FPO has begun to diversify, supplying beekeeping boxes across different parts of the country and to various government departments in Kashmir.
Nazim expressed his satisfaction and said, “I am so happy to see that my FPO is making good progress and it has helped me to link many beekeepers with the market, earning a decent profit.”
