March 2026
In the humid coastal plains of Dakshina Kannada lives Mr. Kumar Parnaje, a man whose life journey reflects patience, curiosity, innovation, and a rare ability to build a relationship with nature. His farm is located in a unique ecological transition zone with a microclimate that supports a diverse farming system. On his 4.5 acres of land, sustained by an open well, Kumar cultivates areca nut, coconut, cocoa, coffee, and pepper – crops that require both patience and long-term care. He manages his farm independently, with the support of his wife and two children.
The first impression of Kumar’s farm is not silence but sound: the steady hum of bees moving between flowers, the rustle of areca nut leaves, and the occasional call of birds from the forest edge.
Today, Kumar is known locally for a unique demonstration that surprises many visitors: the “Bee Beard.” Calmly and confidently, he allows thousands of bees to settle across both his cheeks, showing villagers and visitors that bees respond to patience rather than fear. For him, this is not a performance but an educational message: when humans understand nature, fear reduces and respect grows.
The beginnings of beekeeping
Before dedicating himself fully to beekeeping, Kumar experimented with several farming ideas. One of his biggest experiments was banana cultivation. Driven by enthusiasm and a desire to explore diversity, he once cultivated nearly 75 varieties of bananas on his land. The field became a living collection of colours, shapes, and flavours. However, the reality of markets soon intervened. Despite good production, marketing challenges and price fluctuations made the venture unsustainable. Reluctantly, he moved away from banana farming, carrying with him an important lesson: production alone is not enough without a reliable market.
Farming near forest areas brought its own difficulties. Elephant raids, wild animal attacks, and crop losses were common. He continued searching for a farming activity that aligned with both his interests and the ecological conditions around him.
In 2010, he made a decision that would define his journey. He started beekeeping with 35 bee boxes. The initial investment went mostly into the boxes themselves, as bee colonies could be sourced from nearby forests. In the beginning, many villagers watched with curiosity and doubt. Some warned him about risks; others believed it would fail. But Kumar remained patient.
Slowly, the boxes filled with life. The colonies multiplied, and the farm began to buzz with activity. The impact was visible not only in honey production but also in crop pollination. Areca nut and pepper plants appeared healthier, flowering improved, and biodiversity increased. Encouraged by these results, Kumar expanded. The number of boxes grew from 35 to 75 and eventually to close to 100, transforming his farm into a vibrant apiary.
For several years, things went well. Honey production increased, and his confidence grew. Then came a devastating setback. During the COVID period, a severe bee disease spread rapidly through the colonies. One after another, boxes fell silent. Years of effort disappeared within months. The loss was emotionally and financially painful. By the end of the outbreak, only one surviving box remained. Many farmers would have abandoned the activity at that point. But Kumar chose to continue. He carefully nurtured the surviving colony, learning from observation and experience. Even from that single box, he managed to extract nearly 50 kilograms of pure honey, proving that recovery was possible if patience was maintained.
Instead of rushing to expand, Kumar focused on strengthening each colony. Gradually, the number of boxes increased again. Today, he maintains around 30 bee boxes, producing between 150 and 200 kilograms of honey annually, depending entirely on weather conditions and flowering patterns. In 2025, however, an early monsoon arriving in the second week of May prevented honey extraction, reminding him once again that farming and beekeeping ultimately depend on nature’s timing.
What truly sets Kumar apart is his philosophy towards honey harvesting. He strongly believes that bees should not be exploited. While some beekeepers extract almost all the honey and compensate by feeding sugar syrup during the monsoon, Kumar follows a different path. He intentionally leaves part of the honey in the hive so that bees can survive naturally during difficult months. In his own words, “Even when farmers face losses, we should think about their life too.”
For him, bees are not machines for production but living beings that deserve respect. This ethical approach has become central to his identity as a beekeeper.
The quality of his honey has gained recognition beyond his village. Buyers from places such as Pakistan and Dubai once expressed interest, offering nearly ₹1000 per kilogram due to its purity. Yet Kumar continues to sell mainly at the local level, directly from his home, at around ₹600 per kilogram. Customers travel to his farm because they trust his methods and the authenticity of his product.
Kumar’s innovations extend beyond honey production. He realised that many farmers hesitate to start beekeeping because the cost of conventional wooden bee boxes, around ₹4500, is too high. To address this, he developed a cement bee box, costing around ₹1000. This low-cost alternative made beekeeping accessible to small farmers and encouraged many in the area to take up the activity. Through this innovation, Kumar became not just a beekeeper but a local facilitator of change.
Living close to forests brings constant challenges. Langurs and macaques frequently attack bee boxes, disturbing colonies and causing losses. Over time, Kumar developed practical, local solutions. He covers boxes with areca leaves, uses plastic sheets to protect them from rain, and even designed a locally made wooden gun that fires crackers to scare away monkeys. These innovations reflect his ability to adapt using locally available resources rather than expensive external solutions.
Today, farmers from nearby villages visit his farm to learn about beekeeping. Kumar has been awarded various accolades, including the Krishi Ratna and Antaraajya Krishi Ratna awards.
Despite everything he has achieved, Kumar’s message remains simple. Farming, he believes, should be sustainable and rooted in coexistence with nature rather than driven purely by profit. He sees bees as teachers and as creatures that demonstrate discipline, cooperation, and balance.
Mr. Kumar Parnaje can be contacted on his mobile number 9480240643
