Categorization of Beekeepers from the North-West Region of Romania

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to develop a categorization of beekeepers from the North-West Region of Romania using multiple correspondence analysis. Multiple correspondence analysis is an extension of correspondence analysis which allows the analysis of the pattern of relationships of several categorical dependent variables (Abdi and Valentin, 2007). The data was collected through a survey administered to a sample composed of 420 beekeepers from the North-West Region of Romania. The present categorization implies that the beekeepers form the sample are grouped into categories according to their age and the dimension of their beekeeping exploitation, for the specific purpose of distinguishing several aspects that are specific to each category. The results of the analysis illustrate a relationship between beekeepers and other factors such as: ways of commercializing beekeeping products, propensity for European Union measures, opinions regarding the current legislation in the beekeeping sector. Each category of beekeepers has its own characteristics and should be addressed according to its specificity by public measures. The average age with average to high beekeeping exploitation is characterized by greater openness to European Union Funding Programmes and is specific for Family business or Sole Proprietorship. Openness to specific measures for young beekeepers is obviously specific to young beekeepers with small beekeeping exploitations and who prefer the distribution of their products to several stores. Modernization trends are specific to beekeepers of average age and average beekeeping exploitation size. Higher experience, advanced age and large-scale beekeeping exploitations characterises the veterans in apiculture who are all discontented with the state measures in this sector. Amateur beekeepers have a slightly above average age and want to sell their products to friends or acquaintances. A categorization of beekeepers from the North-West Region of Romania is extremely important for a better understanding of the factors and mechanisms that determine the development of the sector. Taking into consideration the resource constraints faced by beekeeping exploitations and their vulnerability to the environment, policy measures must be implemented to support small scale beekeepers as well as beekeepers that have large beekeeping exploitations.