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Nepali honey is an exquisite product that possesses unparalleled taste and health benefits. However, unfortunately, it struggles to find a market due to the easy import of substandard honey from India, which is a threat to the livelihoods of local farmers and the quality of products available to consumers. Despite the higher production cost in Nepal, the quality of Nepali honey is unrivaled. It's a superior investment for those who value authenticity and purity in their products, unlike the questionable brands of honey being imported from India. The Indian media has already reported about the poor quality of several brands of honey, which is a grave concern for the health-conscious consumer. Nepali honey is not only of high quality but also provides vital support to the livelihoods of local farmers. However, their hard work is not being appreciated as it should be due to the influx of cheaper, substandard honey from India.
In 2021, The Times of India (TOI) revealed that even some of the most popular honey brands in India had quality issues, according to research conducted by the renowned Indian research organization, the Center for Science and Environment (CSE). This was a significant concern, especially since the regulatory body, the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India, had failed to stop the adulteration of honey. The TOI news report created quite a stir in the Indian market, as even famous Indian brands such as Dabur, Jhandu, Vaidyanath, Apis, Patanjali, Hitkari, Indigenous, Hi Honey, and Society Natural were found to be not up to the quality standards.
However, despite this news, the Nepali authorities have failed to take action, allowing substandard Indian honey to continue to find its way into the Nepali market. This is a cause for concern, as it puts the health and safety of Nepali consumers at risk, especially since there are no guarantees about the quality of the imported honey. Nepali authorities need to be vigilant and take strict measures to prevent the import of adulterated honey from India and ensure that the Nepali people have access to pure and authentic honey that meets the highest quality standards.
Fresh & local
It's unreasonable to expect regulatory bodies to monitor the quality of imported honey when they have failed to control the amount of pesticides in vegetables imported daily from India. Despite knowing that most Indian honey brands being imported into Nepal are substandard, they continue to flood the market unchecked. It's imperative that we test the honey brands being imported to ensure they meet quality standards.
If the government can't stop the import of low-quality honey, it should consider increasing the import duty on such products. This would not only protect local honey producers but also create a level playing field for all producers, enabling Nepali honey to compete with imported honey. This is a long-standing demand of Nepali honey producers, who need support to sustain their businesses and provide consumers with high-quality, authentic honey. It's time for the authorities to take action to discourage the import of substandard Indian honey and promote authentic and quality Nepali honey. The issue of monitoring the quality of imported honey in Nepal is often met with excuses from the authorities, citing a lack of sufficient manpower. This excuse is unacceptable, especially considering the high levels of unemployment in the country. With so many educated people unable to find work, why is the government not taking action to hire the necessary manpower to address this issue?
The government has a responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens, and monitoring the quality of imported honey is part of that responsibility. It's time for the authorities to stop making excuses and take action to address the issue. By hiring more manpower, the government can not only ensure the quality of imported honey but also create job opportunities for the many unemployed and educated Nepali citizens. This would be a win-win situation for all involved and would help to promote economic growth and stability in the country.
Honey farmers in districts like Chitwan and Sarlahi are concerned that their products aren't selling, with approximately 3000 tons of domestically produced honey remaining unsold. Moreover, illegal imports of honey are adding to their worries. This fiscal year, 1400 tons of honey has been legally imported, while 4000 tons of honey was produced locally. To support Nepali farmers, the government should ensure that imported honey is not cheaper than domestically produced honey by imposing customs duty. However, preventing illegal imports is also a challenge for the government since it naturally sells for lower prices.
The issue of substandard honey imports from India is a serious concern for the Nepali honey industry. The government must step up and create a level playing field for local honey producers. Supporting the Nepali honey industry is not just a matter of economic growth and stability but also a matter of safeguarding public health and promoting authenticity and purity in food products.
