An Easy Mixed-Method Analysis Tool to Support Rural Development Strategy Decision-Making for Beekeeping

Silvia Novelli,Chiara Ferracini,Monica Vercelli

doi:10.3390/land10070675

Abstract

The EU has long-recognised the functions and contributions of beekeeping in sustainable rural area development. In 2018, the EU adopted the Pollinator Initiative to strengthen its pollinator conservation policies. To support the design of effective rural development actions, this work describes and tests an easy-to-apply, mixed-method tool for use with SWOT analysis. A two-step methodology was trialled with beekeepers in Piedmont Region (NW Italy). In step one, two independent groups of beekeepers operating in separate protected and intensive agricultural areas completed a SWOT matrix. In step two, three expert panels (beekeeper association leaders, honey market organisation leaders, and entomologists) prioritised the effects of the SWOT items with a quantitative weighting and rating process. Results suggest that the sector needs better-targeted incentives and that ‘soft’ policies on extension, advisory, and institutional measures could play a relevant role. The method was also confirmed as suitable for use with non-expert evaluators, such as policy officers and practitioners.

Highlights

Beekeeping is an important agricultural activity globally that contributes to sustainable rural area development in two ways—economic support and ecological support from honey bees [1,2,3,4,5]
After proposing a synthesis of the results of the first part of the focus group discussions (FGDs), the SWOT matrix discussed by the beekeepers and the SWOT item ranking were displayed
In order to introduce the general context of the analysis, it seems worthy to recap the main results from the beekeeper FDGs on the perceived effects of climate change and the management adaptations adopted [40]. Groups operating in both areas claimed that climate change has reduced the availability of the nectar, pollen, and honeydew essential for honey bees, and indicated that the weakened or reduced colonies produced less or no honey

Summary

Introduction

From an income perspective, beekeeping as either a main or secondary income source is especially an opportunity for marginal rural areas [6]. In such places, beehive products, livestock, and pollination services have the potential to generate and diversify income quickly on farms with little land and/or limited capital [7,8]. Approximately 95% of European beekeepers are non-professionals (only 3% own more than 150 beehives), Europe produced the second largest amount of honey in the world after China in 2018 (283,000 tons). The sector generates an annual value of EUR 1 billion in Europe, but pollinators contribute at least EUR 22 billion to European agriculture by ensuring crop yields [13]

Objectives

Results

Discussion

Conclusion