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Major challenges of beekeeping in Chiron Worde of West Harangue Zone, East Roomier, Ethiopia
Abstract
The study was conducted in Chiron District of West Harangue Zone, Ethiopia to identify the major challenges to bee-keeping activities so as to indicate the priority intervention areas for Government and non-governmental beekeeping development organizations. The average traditional and modern hives possessed per respondent was 6.87and 0.38 respectively. Occupancy rates stood at 58.8% for traditional
hives and 46.7% for the modern hives. The main reason for these low occupancy rates was the fact that most of the modern hives were distributed at no cost to receipients by NGOs without training on how to operate them as well as the shortage of bee colonies and operational accessories. Out of 119 respondents, only eight (6.7%) were women and this could be due to enduring traditional perceptions that beekeeping was the domain of men only. According to respondents the main sources of the foundation colony were catching swarm, gifting by family members and purchase of colonies. Respondents indicated that the three sources were unreliable because of different factors. The respondents kept their colonies both in and out door, but with no internal hive inspection. The major challenges in the region were shortage of bee colonies, high price of the modern hives and its accessories making them inaccessible for many, low extension service, and lack of awareness of the farmers. Some of these were also factors in keeping women’s participation in beekeeping low. Ants and wax moth pest problems were also reported.
hives and 46.7% for the modern hives. The main reason for these low occupancy rates was the fact that most of the modern hives were distributed at no cost to receipients by NGOs without training on how to operate them as well as the shortage of bee colonies and operational accessories. Out of 119 respondents, only eight (6.7%) were women and this could be due to enduring traditional perceptions that beekeeping was the domain of men only. According to respondents the main sources of the foundation colony were catching swarm, gifting by family members and purchase of colonies. Respondents indicated that the three sources were unreliable because of different factors. The respondents kept their colonies both in and out door, but with no internal hive inspection. The major challenges in the region were shortage of bee colonies, high price of the modern hives and its accessories making them inaccessible for many, low extension service, and lack of awareness of the farmers. Some of these were also factors in keeping women’s participation in beekeeping low. Ants and wax moth pest problems were also reported.
