English

Abebe Alemayehu,Alebachew Habtamu,Equar Yohannes,Faji Mulisa,Tadesse Yilma

doi:10.5897/jaerd2014.0705

Abstract

The study was conducted in three districts of Benishangulgumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia, to characterize honey production systems, identify major constraints limiting honey production and suggest the required development intervention options for future development. Purposive sampling technique was used to select the districts that represent the three agro-ecologies of the region. A total of 120 beekeeping households were selected and individually interviewed in their respective farms using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire. Stratified sampling technique was used to select the households. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and one-way ANOVA of SPSS software. The results revealed that the number of bee colonies per household were not different across the districts. Honey yield from traditional and transitional hives varied across the districts, but not from modern hive. Beekeeping sector of the areas is constrained by high cost and limited availability of modern beekeeping equipments and accessories, inferior quality of honey, honeybee enemies, inadequate research and extension services, and shortage of skilled human power. Thus, to benefit beekeepers from the sector, alleviating the prevailing constraints and exploiting the available opportunities is important.   Key words: Honey production, Benishangulgumuz, reproductive swarming, migration, beekeeping constraints. &nbsp

Highlights

Ethiopia has a longer tradition of beekeeping than any country in the world even though the sector is still undeveloped sector of agriculture (Melaku et al, 2008a)
This study was conducted in three districts of Benishangulgumuz regional state, namely Assosa, Homosha and Maokomo
Benishangulgumuz regional state is located between geographical coordinates: 9°30'N-11°39'N latitude and 34°20' E to 36°30' E longitude with altitude ranging from 1272 to 1573 m above sea level

Summary

Introduction

Ethiopia has a longer tradition of beekeeping than any country in the world even though the sector is still undeveloped sector of agriculture (Melaku et al, 2008a). The country is one of the major honey and beeswax producers in the world; the largest honey producer in Africa and the10th largest producer in the world (Girma, 1998; Kerealem et al, 2009). Ethiopia possesses natural resources that are favourable to beekeeping activities. The contribution of the sector to the national economy is very low due to traditional honey production and wax extraction practices of beekeepers. In many regions of the country, beekeeping generates.

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion