About HBRTC

The Honey Bee Research and Training Center (HBRTC) at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, U.S. Nagar, Uttarakhand, stands as a pioneering initiative in agricultural academia. As India's first agricultural university and the second largest globally, G.B. Pant University has consistently led the way in agricultural innovation. The establishment of the HBRTC in 2013 marked a significant milestone, initially spanning 30 acres and later expanding to an impressive 92 acres due to its remarkable progress and the escalating recognition of the vital role honey bees play in our ecosystem. This makes Pantnagar University the first agricultural institution to dedicate such a vast area to honey bee research and training.
The HBRTC was founded with several key objectives: to conduct comprehensive research trials on honey bees and other pollinators to develop improved management practices; to provide extensive training programs for a diverse audience including students, farmers, unemployed youth, women, and businessmen; to promote beekeeping as a viable livelihood option for marginalized farmers, thereby generating employment and supplementary income; and crucially, to strengthen biodiversity for a robust and healthy ecosystem. The center is diligently working to uplift the socio-economic status of Uttarakhand's rural population while simultaneously striving for ecological balance.
Presently, the HBRTC boasts an impressive collection of 16,000 diverse bee flora, a state-of-the-art processing plant, and the unique Madhu Vatika. Recently inaugurated by Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh, the Honorable Governor of Uttarakhand, on April 4, 2025, the Madhu Vatika is a dedicated haven for pollinators. It features various nesting sites for solitary bees and a vital water body, designed to create an ideal environment for honey bees and other pollinators. Furthermore, the Madhu Vatika is meticulously curated with bee flora that ensures continuous blooms throughout the year, providing an incessant food source for these crucial insects.

The HBRTC was founded with several key objectives::

• Conducting comprehensive research trials on honey bees and pollinators to develop improved management practices.
• Providing training to a diverse group, including students, farmers, unemployed youth, women, and businesspersons.
• Promoting beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood option for poor farmers, to generate employment and additional income.
• Strengthening biodiversity to foster a healthy ecosystem.

The center is dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged communities in Uttarakhand and contributing to a balanced ecosystem.

Currently, the HBRTC boasts 16,000 diverse bee flora, a processing plant, and a unique "MADHU VATICA." The Madhu Vatika, recently inaugurated by Lt. G. Gurmit Singh, Hon'ble Governor of Uttarakhand, on April 4th, 2025, features various nesting sites for solitary bees, a water body, and a wide variety of bee flora that bloom year-round, creating an ideal habitat for pollinators and honey bees.