Constraints of Honey Production and Marketing in Ethiopia: A Review

Abstract

Ethiopia has huge potential for beekeeping production and 1st in honey production in Africa because of its endowment with diversity in climate and vegetation resources offering potentially favorable conditions for beekeeping. It is important for sources of food and beverages, medication, income generation, creating employment opportunities, environmental balance through pollination. Even though it has a higher contribution, the sector is yet not potentially utilized due to various constraints. Therefore the objectives of this paper are to review the production constraints of honey in Ethiopia and to review the marketing constraints of honey in Ethiopia. Pests, Disease and Predators; weather problem; Shortage of bee forage; Absconding; shortage of trained manpower; shortage of equipment; poor management practices; chemicals; weak research and extension; poor infrastructures and etc. are constraints of honey production in Ethiopia. While linkages problem; lack of market center; lack of market information; price fluctuation; low awareness of post-harvest handling; lack of technology; poor market infrastructure, lack basic business concepts; and etc. are constraints honey marketing in Ethiopia. To overcome such constraints:- Adopting effective honeybee pests, disease and predators controlling methods; Introducing and expanding of full package improved beekeeping technologies with adequate practical skill; strengthen full package extension services; Support farmers for beekeeping business through credit availability, improving the barging power of beekeepers, strengthen linkage among different concerned institutions, cooperative formation, input supply, market facilitation and infrastructures as a whole; Giving attention on research and human resources development ; Expanding coverage of flowering plants especially economically important ones like horticultural crops and reducing the impact of agrochemicals and others are suggested recommendations.