(NB/GOA/FSDD/FPO/PODF-ID/962/2025-26 POPI-TERI)

Prepared by
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) Goa

Table of Contents

I. Narrative Description of Project:
The present project is for promoting FPO amongst beekeepers and farmers in the state of Goa. Pollination is an essential ecosystem service that results in an increase in food security and improvement of livelihoods. Goa has Western Ghats falling talukas, and the state’s foothills are abundant in honey bee populations, including stingless bees. Tribals are traditionally honey hunters of rock bees, Indian bees and stingless bees. The tribals traditionally raise stingless bees in bamboo and earthen pots. They produce enough honey for household consumption. Now it is required that they should be taught the modern stingless beekeeping techniques to get a higher yield of honey and also to use the bee boxes for pollination purposes, particularly to promote the species of Apis cerana indica. The main objectives are to form and support a Beekeeping Farmers’ Producer Organisation (FPO) comprising tribal and smallholder farmers in Goa’s Western Ghats. The aim is to enhance income generation, self-reliance, and livelihood diversification through sustainable and eco-friendly apiculture (beekeeping).

II. Target Area is Canacona Block, Kushavati District, and Goa:
The proposed honey cluster will cover the villages of Cotigao, Gaondongrem, Poinguinim, Shristhal, and Agonda in Canacona Block, Kushavati District, Goa, benefiting 300 women-led ST households/enterprises engaged in honey production and related activities.

III. Main Objective of Formatting FPO:
To form and support a Beekeeping Farmers’ Producer Organization (FPO) comprising tribal and smallholder farmers in Goa’s Western Ghats. The aim is to enhance income generation, self-reliance, and livelihood diversification through sustainable and eco-friendly apiculture (beekeeping).

1. Formation of FPO: Awareness and mobilization of farmers (300 beekeepers Honey cluster)
2. Registration: Under Cooperative Act.
3. Training & Capacity building
4. Infrastructure Development
5. Market Linkages

IV. Project Progress Status:

A. Sanctioned: 12th Feb, 2026

B. Awareness & Mobilization programme:

The event marked the launch of the Women-Led Formation and Promotion of the FPO–Honey Cluster in the
tribal region of Goa, with the objective of promoting sustainable livelihoods, empowering tribal women, and
strengthening local honey value chains. An expert talk on the theme “Give to Gain” emphasized the
importance of collaboration, collective action, and community participation for inclusive and sustainable
development.

On World Bee Day, 20 May 2026, the Honey Cluster FPO celebrated “From Forests to Future”,
promoting sustainable honey-based livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, collective enterprise, market
linkages, and tribal beekeeper empowerment, with the launch of the FPO name and logo, BOD
welcome, beekeeper certificate distribution, membership registration, and inauguration of the FPO
office.

Nomination and Appointment: The Kushavati Beekeepers FPO is governed by an 11-member Board of Directors (BoD), which serves as the governing body responsible for overall supervision and strategic decision-making, while the CEO and Accountant manage the day-to-day operations, administration, financial management, and business activities of the FPO.

Board of Directors

BOD Meeting: Monthly Board of Directors (BoD) meetings are conducted with the participation of DDM-NABARD Mr. Rupesh Bhomaikar, BoD members of the FPO, TERI-POPIs, and Raika Honey (Honey Experts). The meetings focus on FPO registration under the Co-operative Societies Act, shareholder membership, appointment of the CEO and Accountant, opening of the FPO bank account, and awareness and mobilisation of members.

Awareness, Capacity Building and Mobilisation on Beekeeping Programme: Awareness, mobilisation, and basic training on beekeeping commenced on 13 June 2026 across six villages in Canacona Block-Cotigao, Gaondongrem, Poinguinim, Shristhal, Loliem, and Agonda. During the programme, the Chairman, BoD members, POPIs, and Raika Honey representatives sensitised participants about the Honey Cluster and provided basic training on beekeeping practices.
Villages Mobilisation of Members: Members were mobilised from Poinguinim (56), Cotigao (43), Gaondongrim (64), Shristhal (63), Loliem (25), and Agonda (51), with a total of 302 members mobilized across the six villages.

World Environment Day was observed on 5 June 2026 through awareness and mobilization of tribal women’s SHGs on beekeeping as a means of conservation, pollination, and sustainable livelihood and income generation.

C. Project Implementation and Monitoring Committee-PIMC: 26th June 2026 meeting was conducted to constitute the DLMC/PIMC & review the progress of the FPO and recommendation.

The meeting was attended by the GM Shri Sandeep Dharkar and DDM Mr. Rupesh Bhamoikar from NABARD RO Goa, BOD members of Kushavati Beekeepers FPO, FPO staff, and committee members.
Mr. Santosh Gad, POPI (TERI), presented an update on the activities undertaken and the progress achieved by Kushavati Beekeepers FPO to date. He further highlighted that, as per the project guidelines, a DLMC/PIMC is required to be constituted. Accordingly, officials from the concerned departments were invited for the review meeting and for the formation of the committee for the first quarter. The committee was duly constituted.

Current Status of the FPO:

1. Awareness & Mobilization 304 members
2. Total Shareholder Register members 194 members (Rs. 10/- Fee + Rs. 100/- Share)
3. Total Shareholder collected Rs, 31,130/-
4. Total BoD’s-11 members (Rs. 10/-Fee + Rs. 1000/- Share)
   Registration of FPO-“Kushavati Beekeepers FPO” Multipurpose Primary Agriculture Cooperative Society Ltd., under process

 Recommendation for Convergence of other Departments Schemes
 Financial inclusion-KCC, Krish Card
 Plantation & Floriculture –Marigold /Drumsticks
 Nursery Rising –Local Chili saplings
 Organic Farming-Vermicomposting
 Gram Vihar to promote rural eco-tourism
 Grow further model of Collective community farming

D. NABARD Foundation Day – 14 July 2026: The Kushavati Beekeepers FPO participated in the NABARD Foundation Day programme, where the progress and status of the FPO were highlighted. FPO members were felicitated in recognition of their efforts, dedication, and contribution towards strengthening the Honey Cluster.

E. FPO Registration-14 July 2026:

The registration process of Kushavati Beekeepers FPO was initiated on 14 July 2026 under Section 8 of the Goa Co-operative Societies Act, 2001, with documentation being processed for registration as an MPACS Ltd. The application is currently under process through the Quepem Regional Office, Government of Goa, under the Registrar of Co-operative Societies.

F. World Mangrove Day was celebrated on 26 July 2026 in the Poinguinim VP mangrove area, highlighting the importance of mangrove forests, pollination, and sustainable honey cultivation, particularly through stingless bees.

G. FPO Registration – 27 July 2026: The Kushavati Beekeepers FPO Multipurpose Primary
Agriculture Cooperative Society Ltd. was officially registered under the Cooperative Societies Act, and the registration certificate bearing Registration No. RCSQZ2026270047 was issued. A short programme was also organised to mark and celebrate the successful registration of the FPO.

H. World Tribal Day was celebrated on 9 August 2026 with participation in the Ran Bhaji Mahotsav,
highlighting the seasonal and natural forest foods, their medicinal and nutritional importance, and various traditional recipes prepared and exhibited by tribal women.

I. Target Achievement:
The project has achieved significant milestones, including mobilisation of 300 women-led ST beneficiaries, formation and registration of the Kushavati Beekeepers FPO, constitution of an 11-member Board of Directors, constitution of DLMC/PIMC, appointment of the CEO and Accountant, and initiation of awareness, capacity-building, and basic beekeeping training across the target villages.

V. Annexure Details

2. Registration certificate FPO: