The Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India launched a Central Sector Scheme titled 'Development of Beekeeping for Improving Crop Productivity' during the VIII plan (1994-95). The scheme had various components covering R&D, production & distribution of honey bee colonies, organizing trainings and awareness programmes and support for setting up honey processing plant, etc. A Beekeeping Development Board also functioned under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (A & C) to coordinate the Beekeeping activities. The Scheme was approved for continuation during the IX Plan. However, the scheme got subsumed under the Macro Management Scheme, with effect from October, 2000. The Department facilitated efforts by providing seed money through Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC) for enabling the private sector to join hands in forming the National Bee Board as a Registered Society under Societies Registration Act, XXI of 1860 on 19th July, 2000 & promoted by the Small Farmers' Agri-Business Consortium (SFAC). In May 2005, Beekeeping has been included as a supplemental activity under National Horticulture Mission (NHM) for promoting cross pollination of Horticultural Crops.

    In view of the tremendous scope for increasing productivity due to cross pollination and increase in income through Apiculture, it was proposed to revive Beekeeping activity in the country, exponentially by pooling the resources of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation with other organization, including private sector. Accordingly, the National Bee Board (NBB) was reconstituted in June, 2006. The main objective of the National Bee Board (NBB) is overall development of Beekeeping by promoting Scientific Beekeeping in India to increase the productivity of crops through pollination and increase the Honey production for increasing the income of the Beekeepers/ Farmers.

    The main features of reconstituted Board (NBB), after amendments approved in AGM held on 21/10/2008, are as under:

1. Secretary (A & C) is the Ex-Office Chairman of the Board (NBB).

2. Additional Secretary, Incharge of Horticulture, Department of Agriculture &
   Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India is the Ex-Officio Vice-Chairman of the
   Board and Ex- Officio Chairman of the Managing Committee of the National Bee Board.

3. Joint Secretary (NHM), Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture,
   Govt. of India is the Ex-Officio Member Secretary of the Board and Managing
   Committee of the National Bee Board.

4. AS & FA, DAC, GOI, Horticulture Commissioner, DAC, Managing Director (MD),
   SFAC, ADG (PP), ICAR, CEO, KVIC are the regular Members from Govt. of India
   and Two members, viz; Chairman, APEDA and Dr. R.P. Phadke, Retd. Director,
   Central Bee Research &
   Training Institute (CBRTI), are also nominated by the Govt. of India.

5. The eight members are elected Members of the Managing Committee.
   These eight members are elected from various categories of the
   Society of the Board as per the following details.

   1. Two Members from Founder and Corporate Members (at least one
      from Founder Members).

   2. One Member from Beekeeping & Honey Societies.

   3. Four Members from Individual Beekeepers and Scientists &
      Development workers.

   4. One Member from Bee Equipment Manufacturers and Wholesalers /
      Traders/ Packers of Bee Products

6. Executive Director is the Principal Executive Officer of the Board.
   Managing Committee of National Bee Board consists of 18 Members
   (10 from Govt. of India & 8 from the Registered Members of the Society
   of the Board) apart from the Executive Director, who is the Ex-Officio Member of
   the Managing Committee. In normal course the Elected Members of the
   Managing Committee shall hold office for a period of 3 years.

    Any eligible Registered Beekeeper can apply for the membership of the Board as per
the rules prescribed for the same.