The sweet harvest of grit: Local beekeeper builds Rs 5 cr business
From the tranquil fields of Landa village in Ludhiana district rises the remarkable story of a man who turned trials into triumph. Gobinder Singh Randhawa, also known as Jonty, is not just a beekeeper—he is a mentor, an innovator and a symbol of what determination can achieve.
Drawn into the world of apiculture during his college days, Gobinder found inspiration in village heads Baldev Singh and Jagjit Singh Kapoor. Motivated, he enrolled in a week-long training at Punjab Agricultural University in 2003 and started his venture with two friends and a loan of Rs 2.8 lakh. “The idea sounded lucrative, so we got a loan to acquire 120 honey boxes,” Gobinder recalls.
However, tragedy struck in 2004. A Varroa mite infection decimated bee colonies across Punjab, wiping out almost 99 per cent of his bees. “Only a few frames of the bee colonies survived and the loss was enormous,” he says. His friends backed out, but Gobinder refused to quit.
With unwavering resolve, he pushed on—even selling his family’s gold jewellery to pay off debts. “Business was slow and survival became tough. I made Rs 20,000 in monthly sales, while loans and interest kept mounting,” he remembers. He had little left for marketing but kept faith in the road ahead.
By 2009, he secured licences for honey export, and by 2012, his perseverance began paying off as orders started flowing from the US. “Exports began in 2012–13, and sales steadily climbed. I made more money,” he shares. Today, his business earns Rs 4–5 crore annually.
He attributes his success to staying rooted in natural practices, never using chemicals, feeding bees with sugar or jaggery and fighting pests organically. His bees forage mainly on marigold and mustard, and his product range now includes honey, beeswax, bee venom, pollen, propolis and royal jelly.
Determined to uplift others, Gobinder formed the “BIG B” group in 2004, a network of 310 beekeepers and artisans who support each other’s livelihoods. “Whether it’s a woman stitching net masks or a man making hive boxes, I’ve tried to bring them all under one umbrella,” he says.
Farmers like Narender Pal Singh have thrived under his mentorship, earning monthly profits of Rs 35,000. Despite ongoing challenges—like pesticide misuse and hive theft—Gobinder remains resilient. He urges apiarists to adapt to modern platforms. “Today, everything is online, even basic things. Producers must also move ahead and take their businesses online,” he advises.
His honey is sold in bulk at Doraha, Ludhiana, and through the National Horticulture Department. His wax and honey exports reach the US. Living with his wife, two sons and parents in their village, Gobinder stays devoted to both family and community. He continues mentoring new beekeepers, helping them set up businesses and access loans.
Through loss, hardship and perseverance, Gobinder has built more than a business—he has created a legacy that is as sweet and enduring as the honey he harvests. He believes success isn’t just measured in revenue, but in how many lives you uplift along the way. His story isn’t just about honey—it’s about hope, heart and harvesting a better tomorrow.
Ludhiana