Survey on Traditional Beekeeping and Honey Production in Biu and Its Environs, North – Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

For years in olden times, man depended on gathering and hunting for foods and the favourable climate, but recently, the coming of many scientific, technological and engineering, innovations and the clarion call for change and sustainable development, man had improved and modified plants varieties and animal breeds for food security and it consequences. For these reasons, this study was conducted on the survey on traditional honey bee (Apis millifera) keeping and honey production in Biu and its environs. Compound structured closed and opened ended questionnaires and verbal interview were used for data and information ecosystem collection. One hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed randomly to beekeepers within the communities of Bubalwada, Garwashina and Kirmbula villages in Biu, north – eastern Nigeria, retrieved, statistically analysed and were recorded. It revealed vital information on the demography of the Apiculturists and the traditional honey beekeeping, honey production; male’s youths (83%), married persons (57%), those with formal educational status (68%), business persons (31%), attended secondary level of education (35%), number of house hold size (16 persons and above), have experience in beekeeping (9 years and above), were mostly involved in Apicultural practicing. The study also revealed that most of the Apiculturists in the study area use grass hives for the traditional method (27%), honey bee wax as attractant for new colonies formation (51%), wild honey harvesting (63%) and traditional methods of honey production (68%), rude method of honey processing (61%) and theft of the honey being produced was the most serious problems they encountered were (37%). The majority of the Beekeepers in Biu and its environs sale their honey at retails price (41%) and sales were done in the rural market (47%) inclusively. Youths are urging to engage and participate in this sector of farming, it adds more beauty to the agro – ecosystem - ecology and economic values systems.