Abstract
Participatory evaluation of Queen Rearing using splitting technique (SQRT) at Ginnir District of Bale Zone, South-eastern Ethiopia was conducted from 2013 to 2014. Two Beekeepers Research Group (BRG) each having 10 beekeepers were established at two sites, Ebisa and Kebena. Beekeepers were purposively selected based on their willingness, having bee colonies, indigenous knowledge of handling honeybee and trained on colony selection, honeybee biology, management, and health, procedure of queen rearing in the first phase and on spot practical queen rearing in the second training phase. Two Development Agents and three livestock experts participated in training. Evaluation of queen rearing was carried out at back yard of seven volunteer beekeepers (four at Ebisa and three at Kebena sites). About 85.71% of the multiplied established their selves and performed well. Average honey yield of 14.29 kg and 16.99 kg was obtained from daughter (new) and maternal colonies respectively. The beekeepers expressed that the technology is simple to operate, assist to generate additional income. This indicates that the technology got acceptance by farmers. Thus scaling up of this technology is paramount important. Key words: Participatory, honeybee colony, splitting, demonstration, queen rearing.
Highlights
Apiculture is one of the major income generating agricultural activities for the poorest and other beekeepers dwelling in areas where other livestock cannot exist and other income generating activity options are very limited
Honeybee colony population is in the state of continuous decline due to various reasons and it is difficult to get new colony because of different factors among which population pressure, declining of forest, indiscriminate applications of agrochemicals, pests and predators, honeybee diseases are worth mentioning
Theoretical training was given at the beginning of the study for the Beekeepers Research Group (BRG) on honeybee’s colony selection, honeybee biology, management, health, procedure of Queen Rearing techniques and cares to be given while conducting the study process
Summary
Apiculture is one of the major income generating agricultural activities for the poorest and other beekeepers dwelling in areas where other livestock cannot exist and other income generating activity options are very limited. Ethiopia has a longstanding bee keeping practices and is endowed with huge apicultural resources and it has been an integral part of other agricultural activities, where about one million households keep honeybees (NuruAdgaba, 2007). Honeybee colony population is in the state of continuous decline due to various reasons and it is difficult to get new colony because of different factors among which population pressure, declining of forest, indiscriminate applications of agrochemicals, pests and predators, honeybee diseases are worth mentioning. Number of honeybee colonies in the country has been declining (CSA, 2012) and the honey and beeswax production as well as export earnings fell down (Gezahegne, 2001).
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