Beekeeping diagnostic in four production basins in Senegal: an analysis of opportunities and weaknesses

Abstract

In Senegal as everywhere in Africa, apiculture is a branch of agriculture that can help people from rural and remote villages to diversify their activities and generate incomes. Honeybees are also involved in the pollination services process in agriculture and a good indicator to environmental degradation. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to diagnose problems encountered by beekeepers in four production basins in Senegal, to guide policy makers and attract investment in the sector. A questionnaire and an interview guide were designed together and distributed to 138 single beekeepers and 32 groups of beekeepers between September 2014 and January 2016. Beekeepers (93.75%) were men aged more than 50 years and (74.7%) didn’t have any knowledge about bee diseases. Modern beekeeping was unequally observed in the four basins. Honey was the most significant preferred commodities followed by the bee’s wax. Lack of beekeeping modern equipment, climate change (environment), and funding were identified and listed as major weaknesses respectively. Nevertheless, beekeepers in the Thies region were (100%) modern, compared with those to Fatick and Velingara who were still doing traditional beekeeping at 9.7% and 91% respectively. However, our study areas with the rich and diversified natural resources remain conducive to beekeeping.

Keywords: Beekeeping, diagnostic, deficiency, strengths, Senegal.